Volleyball Coaching Records

[bratman]

Talk about small worlds. Coach Johnson played high school at Norris High school for the legendary Coach Rita Hackler who is credited with being the driving force behind getting the TSSAA to recognize volleyball as a sport. Coach Hackler won over 500 matches at Norris before it closed in 1982, and she became the first coach at the newly opened Anderson County. In 1983 she hired Coach Cantrell, who is still there and closing in on 1000 wins. At the same time Coach Johnson hired Coach Paul Brock who went on to coach at GPS.

 

When my daughters played at AC they were required to learn the history of the Norris/Andeson County program. This included learning about the former players and coaches. I became close friends with Coach Cantrell and Coach Harshbarger, and still talk to them often. I also got to spend time with Coach Hackler who is simply one of the coolest people I ever met.

 

Reading from my daughters high school volleyball program, here is her coaching tree:

 

Coach Johnson who begat Coach Brock both still active

Coach Cantrell, still active, who begat Coach Harshbarger (retired) and current Coach Smith, all three have state championships.

 

From Hackler and Cantrell came Coach Thurman who coached at King College, where she was an all American, and who won a state championship in Georgia.

 

Coach Marcia Wade won a state championship in North Carolina. Coach Randi Mellon coached College and High School.

 

I think these players also coached, though not listed in my daughters old program, but I cheated and called my buddy so his fault if these are wrong, or I leave anybody out:

 

Coach Hacklers Daughter and Niece Kim and Pam, who both played at Norris then at the Univ of Tennessee.

 

Amy Eckerly, Lori Purkey, Melanie Templin, Ashley Pittman (currently at CAK), Karen Jolly, Kelsey Dew, Lindsay Hall, Kim Ohmstead all coached high school or college. Pretty neat from one high school program.

 

Great post coach Johnson. We need more of these posts and less trash talk

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[orcat]

Hackler, Neely, Cantrell, Hooks, Brock, Johnson etc, haven't even heard of most of these people. Quit living in the past. Foster is the driving force of today's volleyball. Who cares about yesterday?

[coachjohnson]

I don't usually weigh in on matters. My husband does that for me, but I can't say that I belong in the same category with Catherine, Sherry, and Rita. And I can't say I hired Paul because he was never paid, but he did help me back in the 80's with my South Young teams when he was a UTK student. I do still love it after all these years. And don't forget Barbara Campbell...Brentwood...You've heard of them I trust. They're loaded with talent and hungry for the title.

[RebelSoccer]

While I am not sure of the number of wins of many of these coaches, there were two who retired lately in East Tennessee. Dennis Ray had 617 I believe and someone else had over 800 in upper East Tennessee. Wins are important and a guide but what is equally important is the number of years. Coaches sometimes don't want to think about years but longivity tells something about the love of the sport. Barbara Campbell, the bubble gum chewing head coach of Brentwood High School, Jinx Cockerham head coach at Father Ryan are true Legends but both have been going to retire fot the last 10 years but like Coach Neely, are so much a part of the Sport in the State it would be a loss to not be able to see them. The same goes for many thru the State who have promoted the sport like Tracey Berry who made it a full time job in starting Clubs and coaching. She's to young to retire but has a lot of wins. There are others. Someone has the numbers.

There is another coach in Middle Tennessee who coached at Nashville Overton who has retired lately that spent a lot of time in the sport along with Campbell and Cockerham but the name escapes me. This is a very good subject and to recognize all of these great coaches for their time and wins is deserving.

The Coach at Overton when I was there 91-95 was Coach Gaines.  Very good teams those years.  I remember some epic battles with Brentwood and Father Ryan.

[vbinsider44]

Orcat, Foster knows these people well they have been beating her for the last few years.  Their players have been beating her for years as well when she coached SM Juniors.   I have seen Coach F in club when she was over the SM Juniors and she is all about class and she is a good coach .  I know she would give these coaches credit for shaping a lot of volleyball in Tennessee.

[bigchief]

The Coach at Overton when I was there 91-95 was Coach Gaines.  Very good teams those years.  I remember some epic battles with Brentwood and Father Ryan.

Coach Gaines is still at Overton. Saw her at the Brentwood playday at A-game last weekend.

[HighRange123]

Randy Alley at Friendship Christian will hit 700 this year

[bigchief]

Lynn Dearing at Goodpasture is currently 482-160 in 15 years as head coach. One state championship, 2 runner ups, and two 3rd place finishes.