Brian Basil
Head Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator
Miami (Ohio) University; Defensive Back

Playing Experience:
Coaching Experience:

Macarthur High School is very fortunate to have Coach Basil back on the staff as their Head Coach and Athletic Coordinator. Coach Basil began his coaching career at Colleyville Heritage High School. From 1996 to 2001, he was an assistant coach in the secondary. In 1998, Coach helped the team to the playoffs where they would end up being the Regional Semi-Finalists. In 2001, he helped CHHS become the Area Finalist. With an impressive record, the defense was ranked the #1 Scoring Defense in the state. Under his tenure, Coach helped Brandon Fails win the 5A AP Defensive Player of the Year. Coach Beaty, former MacArthur Head Coach & now Assistant Coach at Rice University, noticed Coach Basil’s Defensive genius and brought him over to MacArthur in 2002 to be the Defensive Coordinator. During the 2002 through 2004 seasons, Coach helped Macarthur back to the dominance it had once established. MacArthur was back on the map. Coach Basil led the defense and Cardinals to be a perennial playoff power. Playoffs year after year is what is expected at Mac now because of what Coach Basil help put into motion through his leadership. In 2003, MacArthur was ranked #5 in DFW in total Defense. That same year, Mac produced the District 6-5A Defensive Co-MVP, LaShawn Vation, who now plays for Texas Tech. In 2004, Mac was #2 in DFW in total Defense only behind the National Champions of that year.

At Crandall High School in 2005, Coach took over the responsibilities of Athletic Director/Head Football Coach and would take the Crandall Pirates to playoffs as the Bi-District Finalist. At Crandall, Coach produced the District 12-3A Co-Offensive MVP and 9 players that were voted to the 1st Team All-District.

Personal:
Coach’s wife is Michelle Basil. They have two kids, Kaden and Kallie

Coaching Experience:
Coach Smith joined the MacArthur staff in 2004 as the Bandits and Free Safeties Coach. In 2005 he became the Defensive Coordinator where he continues to lead the Cardinals as a top ranked defense in the metroplex. In 2002-03 he was at Colleyville Heritage HS as the Varsity Cornerbacks Coach. In ’01 Coach Smith was the head JV coach and began as a freshman coach in 2000.

Education:
Abilene Cooper HS 1996.
Undergraduate Degree: Hardin-Simmons University BBS in 2000
Graduate Degree: UT Arlington M.Ed. in 2004
Personal:
Coach’s wife Michelle is an Attorney. The Married couple have one daughter Makenna.

Playing Experience:
At Abilene Cooper HS, Coach was an All-District athlete in both football and basketball in 1995. At Hardin Simmons University, he was named to the All-Conference team for Football in 1997, 1998, and 1999. He was also named to the D-III Football All-American in 1999.

Coaching Experience:
Coach Pearce came to MacArthur via Allen and North Dallas High Schools. He has been the Offensive Coordinator and Receivers Coach at Mac since 2002. Coach Pearce is taking on the role of the Quarterbacks Coach at Mac for this upcoming season. At North Dallas he was the Offensive Coordinator in addition to the receiver’s coach in 2001. Coach first started at Allen high in 1998 as the receivers coach.

Playing Experience:
In 1990, at his high school, A&M Consolidated in 1990, Coach Pearce received the honors of being named to the AP and TSWA FIRST TEAM ALL STATE team as a wide receiver. Additionally, he was named GREATER HOUSTON 4A Offensive PLAYER OF YEAR. At Stephen F. Austin, coach was a 3 TIME ALL SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE Wide receiver and received the 1996 HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICA Wide Receiver.

Education:
A&M Consolidated HS 1991
Undergraduate Degree: Stephen F. Austin 1998

Personal:
Coach and his wife Kay, have two girls Sidney and Kendall.

Rudy Powe
Assitant Head Football Special Teams CoordinatorCornerbacks Coach
Midwestern State University 1996

Coaching Experience:
Coach Powe has been at Macarthur since 2002. He came in as the Varsity Receivers Coach and would later take over the responsibilities of being the Special Teams Coordinator. In 2005 he took over the Cornerbacks position for Mac. Coach Powe came to Mac from the University of West Virginia where he was a graduate assistant coaching safeties. He was the Head Football Coach, In 2000 at North Dallas where he was the Defensive Coordinator, wer the team fishied 6-4. The record was the 2nd best record in the history of the school. He caoched in the and Garland High where he was the Defensive Backs Coach.

Playing Experience:
Coach Powe played linebacker at Midwestern state.
Education:
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor from Midwestern State University 1996

Coaching Experience:
Coach Barnett came to MacArthur from Southlake Carroll High School. Coached helped the Dragons win 3 State Championships. He coached quarterbacks and receivers at Carroll. With 3 state rings, coach brings a lot to the table for the Cardinals receiver core.

Playing Experience:
Coach played receiver at Bethany College in Kansas for a year. He later transferred to The Midwestern State to play Safety.

Education:
Undergraduate degree: University of North Texas 2000
Graduate Degree: Coach is working on his Masters degree (M.S.Ed. Admin.) at Dallas Baptist University.

Personal:
Coach and his wife Mandi who is the head softball coach at Southlake Carroll, they have one son named Boston.

Coaching Experience:
Coach Nitcholas has been at MacArthur for 5 years. Coach took over the Running Back role last year. Before that, he worked with the Defensive Ends which produced 3 Division 1 athletes, one each year he coached them. In his first year at Mac, he had the Quarterbacks and Corners. Coach Nitcholas was the head J.V. Coach for that time period also. Coach came to Mac via Travis Middle School where he coached for 3 years.

Playing Experience:
At his high school, R.L. Turner, Coach received the honors of being named to the All District Selection for two consecutive years. From a three year letterman in high school, coach headed to UNT where he continued his track career. He was a four year letterman and is # 3 on the All-Time list.

Education:
Undergraduate Degree: University of North Texas 1998

Personal:
Coach and his wife Melanie have a son named Bryler.

Coaching Experience:
Coach Nucci joined the MacArthur staff from Sam Houston Middle School in 2005 as a freshman coach. Last year he was promoted to Assistant Varsity Offensive Line Coach, and this year he was named the Head Varsity Offensive Line Coach.

Playing Experience:
Coach played Offensive Tackle at Kings College where he received the honors of being named to the Academic All Mac Conference team.

Education:
Undergraduate Degree: Kings College 1997

Personal:
Coach and his wife, Danielle, have a daughter Mackenzie and a son Hunter.

Greg Pels
Linebackers / Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
Austin College 2001

Coaching Experience:
Coach Pels came to MacArthur for the ’05 season to coach Defensive Ends. For the ’06 season, Coach will be moving over with the Linebackers. Before Mac, Coach Pels was at Frisco High School coaching the Defensive Line for three years, where he was also the Special Teams coordinator.

Playing Experience:
Coach Pels was a four year letterman at Austin College where he played Linebacker. He received the honors of being on the All Conference Academic Team for two years. Before college, coach was a two year letterman at Nolan Catholic High School where he received the award of Honorable Mention - All District Team. In addition, coach received the William B Traylor Award from his teammates for his leadership and work ethic.

Education:
Nolan Catholic High School 1997
Undergraduate: Austin College 2001
Graduate Degree: Master’s of Art’s in Teaching Austin College 2002

Personal:
Married this summer to Stephanie and they have a dog name is Suzie.

Coaching Experience:
Coach Rusche came to MacArthur in 2002 to coach the defensive line. He will be taking the defensive ends this coming season. Coach came to Mac from Decatur, Celina, and Sanger High Schools respectively. From 1999 through 2001 he coached the Offensive line at Decatur. Before that, Coach was at Celina high school where they won a state championship. Before Coaching at the freshman level, coach began his coaching career at Sanger where he coached Jr. High

Playing Experience:
Coach was a two year starter at Hico High School where he played Quarterback and Defensive End. Coach was named to the 1st team All Cross Timbers Team and 2nd team All-District Defensive End.

Education:
Hico HS 1988
Undergraduate Degree: Tarleton State University 1988

Personal:
He has two boys Nathan and Eli.

Coach Shelley (Right)

Joe Shelley
Defensive Tackles
University of North Texas 1998

Coaching Experience:
Coach Shelley has been at MacArthur for the seven years of his coaching career; three of which were on the varsity staff. Before that, he was a part of the freshman staff. Coach is switching to the defensive side of the ball for this upcoming season. He will be the new Defensive Tackles Coach.

Playing Experience:
Coach played on the Defensive line for Tarleton State. At MacArthur, Coach Shelley had a great experience playing on the Defensive Line for two years at the Varsity level.

Education:
MacArthur HS Graduate 1990
Undergraduate Degree: University of North Texas 1998

Michael Woods
Linebackers
Oklahoma State University 1998

Coaching Experience: Coach Woods Began his coaching career at Desoto High School in 2004. It was at Desoto that he coached the Junior Varsity linebackers. This is his first year at Macarthur High School and he is excited about trying to help the Cardinals win another district title.

Playing Experience: Coach attended Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City , Oklahoma . He was a two sport lettermen in both football and basketball. Coach played at Oklahoma State University playing both strong safety and outside linebacker.

Education:

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Management

Graduate Degree: Master of Business Administration / e-Business

Personal: Parents are James and Betty E. Woods married 30 years, one brother 25 graduate student at Cornell University , one sister a graduate at the University of Oklahoma in Liberal Arts, and another sister married living in Oklahoma City .

Brian Linn
Head Freshman Football/Quarterbacks/Defensive Line
Southern Nazarene University 1997

Coaching Experience:

Coach Linn is comes to MacArthur for the 2007 season after serving as the Athletic Coordinator last year at Travis Middle School. Coach Linn has also coached at the middle school level in the Lewisville district for two years and in the Houston district for two years.

Playing Experience:

Coach Linn lettered in soccer at both Oral Roberts University and Houston University. Coach lettered in basketball and soccer at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Coach Linn also lettered in basketball at Bishop Kelly High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Education: Southern Nazarene University 1997

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

North Forsyth High School 1987

Personal:Wife: Lezlie Children: Tori

Coaching Experience:
Coach came on to the MacArthur staff in 2004 where he took over the duties of Coaching the running backs and linebackers. Before he came to Mac he coached at Austin Middle School in Irving coaching LB’s, RB’s and the Offensive Line over the 5 year time period.

Playing Experience:
Coach Foster was a four year letterman playing Linebacker at Angelo State University.

Education:
Undergraduate Degree: Angelo State University

Personal:
Coach has three sons, Dominik, Isaac and TJ

Coaching Experience:
Coach Laningham came on to the staff in 2004 where he was an assistant coach on the Freshman team. Coach Laningham took over the Head Coaching responsibilities in 2005 and begins the 2007 season as the JV Head Coach. Coach Laningham will also serve as an offensive assistant, working mainly with the quarterbacks.

Playing Experience:
Coach Laningham was a three year letterman in football and a two year letterman in baseball at James Bowie High School in Arlington. Coach received the honor of Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 and earned Academic all-district honors and the Sportsmanship Award in 1993.

Education:
James Bowie HS, Arlington 1994
Undergraduate Degree: UT-Arlington 2001

Coach Johnson is new to the MacArthur staff.  Coach Johnson graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May of this year and landed his first coaching job here at Irving MacArthur.  Coach Johnson assisted several high school and jr. high programs in Oklahoma while he was in school. Coach Johnson is also a Sergeant in the Army Reserves.  He did a tour in Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from Easter Sunday 2003 to March of 2004.  Nine of those months were spent in Fallujah, Iraq.    

Playing Experience: In high school at Ovilla Christian School, Coach Johnson lettered in Baseball for 3 years and Cross Country for 1.  He received the UIL Leadership Award his Junior Year of high school. 

Education:
Ovilla Christian School 2000
B.S. Social Studies Education from the University of Oklahoma

Coaching Experience: Coach Vardeman came to MacArthur in the fall of 2006. He is currently coaching varsity Middle linebackers and is also the JV defensive coordinator in charge of linebackers and the defensive backs. He is also the Head Wrestling coach as well. Coach Vardeman previously coached Varsity wide receivers at Colleyville Heritage High School and also at Crandall High School before coming over to MacArthur with Coach Basil.

Playing Experience:

Coach Vardeman played at The Oklahoma State University and was a two year letterman for the Cowboys as a defensive back and a special team’s player. He was fortunate enough to play in the Houston Bowl and the famed Cotton Bowl. Coach Vardeman lettered in Football, Baseball, and Wrestling at Lawton MacArthur High School in Oklahoma. He was voted all-area and all-district in football and baseball.

Education:

Lawton Macarthur HS 1999 Undergraduate degree: Oklahoma State University 2004

Personal:

Parents Danny and Darla Vardeman, has one brother Larry. Coach Vardeman got engaged over the summer.