Jeff Romero has been named Dean of Athletics.
Mike Newman will be the Director of Athlete and Coach Development
Ralph Potter ('81) has been named the Director of Athletic Relationships, Leadership and Development.
McCallie School has announced the promotion of three employees into administrative roles in the Athletic Office. Jeff Romero, Mike Newman and Ralph Potter have all been promoted to new or reconfigured positions.
“From a practical standpoint, responsibilities of a modern athletic program have grown beyond the ability of a single person to manage,” said Associate Headmaster Kenny Sholl. “The scope and complexity of athletics have changed in recent years, and this structure will help us maintain our values and philosophy in a dynamic environment.”
* Jeff Romero, who has served since last August as Interim Dean of Athletics, has been officially named to that position in a full-time capacity. The Dean of Athletics position will oversee athletic operations and logistics, including scheduling, facilities, equipment, communication and marketing, TSSAA compliance, game day/fan experience, and the Tornado Club.
Prior to coming to the McCallie Communication Department in 2008, Jeff spent 18 years working in athletic offices at the college level. He served in various roles in the athletic offices of Auburn, the University of Tennessee, Ole Miss, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he served as Sports Information Director.
* Varsity wrestling coach Mike Newman has been promoted to the new position of Director of Athlete and Coach Development. In this role, he will design and coordinate programs and processes that support and advance the holistic development of our scholar-athletes, as well as coordinate professional development for our coaches.
Mr. Newman has been with McCallie since 1994 and has served as head coach of the wrestling program since 2008. He has been an assistant coach for the varsity football for over 21 years. He will continue to serve in both capacities as well as in the new role.
* Ralph Potter '81 has been named Director of Athletic Relationships, Leadership and Development. He will help to shape the vision and direction of the athletic program, with a focus on strategic initiatives, relationships, and fundraising efforts.
Mr. Potter has served as a teacher and as head football coach from 1997 to 2006 and from 2012 to the present, and he will continue to serve in these capacities in addition to his new role.
“Even more than their skills and experiences, these three are wonderful men and role models for the boys of McCallie,” Sholl said.
“As with every area at McCallie, we are committed to excellence in athletics, and we will continue to do so in a manner that is consistent with our mission and core values,” said Headmaster Lee Burns ’87. “Those values include working to develop character and striving to compete with class.”
Roughly two-thirds of the McCallie student body participate in at least one sport every year, with many playing two or three sports. McCallie offers 14 different sports and fields 46 teams from Middle School through Varsity. These teams play a combined 700-900 games every year, more than half of which are hosted by the school. Dozens of other sports-related events by outside organizations are hosted by McCallie every year, such as Special Olympics and the Senior Games, among many others.