Rob Eldridge

Due to the overwhelming interest in Tennessee Temple Academy athletics, administrators, coaches and programs, we have recently added a new page to our website. It appears that there are a few people who are looking for answers to their questions. Then there are those who are trying to be helpful and give their opinions which further confuses or fuels the fire which isn't helping anyone. The ones who are really suffering is our students who are reading these posts and threads and struggling with all of it. It is our sincere desire to be able to address your questions and comments and provide you with answers from those who are the decision makers. We encourage especially our parents, students and "family" to utilize this new format when asking the hard questions or when questioning an administrators decision or when you feel the urge to "speak your mind" on a subject. There is a time and a place for everything and we wish to encourage our family, who might be struggling a little right now with things that are happening, to handle your differences Biblically, wisely and above reproach by using the the median we are providing. Let's keep Coach T "clean" and leave its community with a better impression of the kind of parents, students and fans that are Temple and the Savior whose name we call ourselves by; Christians. What kind of Jesus are we showing our Coach T community friends? On the behalf of the school, I apologize to Coach T, the monitors of these threads, its community and those who have been offended by the unchrist-like attitudes, comments, manners and posts from those who are part of or connected in some way with our school. I pray that the Coach T community will keep Temple in their prayer's and hearts as we are going through a transition period in which many if not most of the parents feel is the best direction for our school and our community at this time. Here is the link to our new webpage. We hope you will find it helpful. Gotta say my piece For what it is worth and if will help a few people; I am not Pasture, nor any other "poster." My personal conviction is that a person should be willing to use their own name and be willing to stand up and be held accountable for what they have to say. The idea that one can be a "pastor" by day and then "rant and rave" at night is not scriptural. I was raised if you can't say it to someone's face, then you shouldn't say it at all. Those who don't subscibe to this principle the Bible calls gossipers and cowards. As Christians we are called to "pray for those whom we hate" and to "love our enemies" and to "love thy neighbor as thyself." According to Jesus, all the laws hang upon carrying out this action. And the only way one can do that regularly is to first "love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and spirit." Seems to me that if we are concentrating on all this "loving" we wouldn't have time for anything negative? Good advice I've learned the hard way.

I don't think the coaches resigning was a surprise. I believe the transfers out was. I could be totally wrong about all this, but I am not wrong about is Coach Beard is a good man. Whatever the situation I hope Temple does right.

More coverage on the subject can be found online at: Chattanooga Times Free Press

Official Press Release: Scott Chastain has been announced today as the new head football coach of the Crusaders of Tennessee Temple Academy. Coach Chastain served as the Defensive Coordinator this past season during their perfect 10-0 season and 12-1 overall record finishing as quarterfinalists in region 3-A. Chip Kell, who was recently inducted into the College Hall of Fame and who served as a special assistant to the team last season, has agreed to return and will be more involved as an assistant coach for the 2007 season. Chastain, who will be the first paid football coach since the program started four years ago is excited about the future of Temple football. “With our winning program since inception (33-13) and with our special season this year and with the growth and exciting things that are going on at the Academy I see a very bright future for Temple football. We have some younger players with good talent and several returning players with experience. I look forward to building a football program at Temple and ultimately preparing our players for varsity play.” Temple has already secured 10 dates for next season. “We are pleased with our decision to hire Scott”, said Rob Eldridge, Dir. of Development for the Academy. “Scott brings experience and knowledge of football and coaching to our program. He earned the respect of the players and our fans this past year. We selected Coach Chastain because we are serious about building a football program and he and Chip are committed to accomplishing that goal.” Tennessee Temple Academy is a private Christian school located in Chattanooga Tennessee. They are ACSI accredited and are in the approval process for SACS early next year. They are known for their national award winning fine arts programs and their competitive athletic teams. They won the TSSAA state basketball title in 2002, 2003 and are preseason favorites to be finalists this year. They have already had two athletes sign this year with NCAA Division One schools; Danielle Rector with Mississippi State University to play basketball and Amanda Jordan with Samford University to play softball. Seth Skogen, a Mr. Football Finalist for both football and basketball and who was voted Most Valuable Offensive Player in Region 3-A for 2006 has recently signed with the intent to play at Furman University. Josh Smith, the Region 3-A Most Valuable Defensive Player has not committed at this time. For more information about Tennessee Temple Academy visit them on the web at www.TnTempleAcademy.com or contact them at 423-493-4337.