Wrestling coach Lewis leaving CBHS for MUS

The wrestling rivalry between CBHS and MUS has been pretty one-sided in recent years. That will likely change starting next winter.

Chris Lewis, who has built the Purple Wave into one of the state's top programs and the dominant one in Shelby County, is leaving the Brothers after 26 years to take the head coaching job with the Owls. He'll replace Steve Hendricks, who is retiring.

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"My wife sent me a video a few months ago and in the video the speaker said, 'sometimes, you have to take a chance if you want to be happy,'" said Lewis on a Facebook post Wednesday. "Twenty-six years at CBHS, so many friends, memories. It has become my professional identity.

"I am honored MUS offered me this opportunity and I will work hard to make the make the wrestling program competitive locally and statewide. Fifty-one years old and a chance to write a new chapter in my life. ... So here I go, feet first, baby."

Lewis guided the Brothers to 17 regional championships, two Division 2 state duals titles and one state individual title. CBHS is the only west Tennessee school to win a state wrestling title. He's won two state coach of the year awards and has been The Commercial Appeal's top coach nine times.

His last CBHS team finished in third place at last month's individual state meet and produced five wrestlers that advanced to the championship match in their respective weight classes with Trevor Brown winning the title at 138.

In 2001, Lewis founded a youth wrestling club that has almost 100 boys participating each year.

A graduate of Rhodes College, Lewis began his teaching and coaching career at now-closed Bishop Byrne.