Ruston High School alum CJ Gatlin has returned to the Ruston High School sidelines, this time as an assistant coach. The 2013 graduate sat down to discuss his family’s decision to come back to Lincoln Parish.
This conversation has been lightly edited for continuity.
Lincoln Parish Journal: After you time as the starting quarterback for Ruston High, what have you been doing since?
CJ Gatlin: A lot of coaching (laughs). I’ve had stints at Union Parish, Carwell Parish, Tioga, back to Caldwell, and then back to Union from 2021-23. I won a state championship with Union last season, and now I’m back here at Ruston High.
LPJ: What brought you back to Ruston?
CJ: Honestly, my wife. We both went to school here — we met here. So we wanted our kids here to come to Ruston.
LPJ: From your perspective, you understand Ruston High football after starting here, and this team won its first title in 33 years last season. You come now into a championship program. What has that been like for you?
CJ: It’s exciting. After winning one with Union, I’m excited to get to come here and do it for my alma mater. That’s the most exciting thing for me.
LPJ: What is your specific role on the staff this year?
CJ: I’ll coach receivers and help with the rest of the offense here.
LPJ: Outside of athletics, what are you looking forward to most about being part of Ruston High School?
CJ: It’s about being back where I graduated from. The school environment is amazing, and we’re one of the top schools in the state of Louisiana. And like I said, my wife and I really want our kids to be here.
LPJ: CJ, best of luck and thank you for your time.
