Station Camp's Thomas Morand resigns as soccer coach; Jeremy Cooke hired

For the first time since the school opened its doors in fall 2002, the Station Camp soccer program will be under new leadership.

Less than a month removed from leading the Bison to a second consecutive Class AAA state championship, Thomas Morand has resigned as the school’s boys and girls soccer coach.

“It’s just time,” Morand said. “My family and I, we evaluate it every year at the end of the season. Last year would have been a good year to go out, but I wanted to give it one more shot. It worked out pretty well.”

More:Three keys to Station Camp soccer's second Class AAA championship

Station Camp, one of just six schools to win back-to-back state titles in the TSSAA's largest classification, didn’t have to go far to find Morand’s replacement, either, snatching up former Beech coach Jeremy Cooke to serve as his successor.

“I am so excited and just want to keep the ball rolling,” Cooke said. “I’ve known Coach Morand for a long time. He’s been very helpful to me. And I just want to follow in his footsteps and keep this thing going the way it needs to.”

In fact, the ability to hire Cooke actually aided in Morand's decision to step down.

“That was another reason: We were able to get (Cooke),” Morand said. “He’s a great educator, a great coach, and he applied for the job. It was really good timing for everybody, and I think (principal Art Crook) found a great coach to replace me.”

Said Crook: “Jeremy has been very, very involved in soccer ever since he played as a little kid here in this area. I know before Jeremy signed on at Beech we looked at bringing him on as an assistant coach. He’s certainly familiar with our common opponents in this area, and he’s a good young coach.”

More:Station Camp boys soccer team among privileged few to repeat in Class AAA

Cooke, a 1999 Beech graduate, has spent the past four seasons coaching the Buccaneers’ boys and girls teams, and he also brings with him an extensive background in club soccer.

“(Morand) is such a good guy, and even though we coached against each other he has always been a great resource,” Cooke said. “I coached club for 12 years prior to coming to the high school level, and going from club to high school is very different. He was always there for me to reach out to.

“Now that relationship we had that was good can become really good.”

Morand, who will continue teaching social studies at Station Camp, led the Bison’s boys to five state tournament appearances in 16 seasons. He also guided the Lady Bison to a Class A-AA quarterfinal finish in 2008.

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026, and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.