Chandler Tygard resigns from Blackman football to be Cleveland coach

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Blackman is in search of a football coach after Chandler Tygard resigned Friday to take the position of head of football operations for Cleveland City Schools and head coach at Cleveland High.

Tygard spent two years with the Blaze, going 15-8. His 2022 team went 10-3 and reached the Class 6A state quarterfinals before losing to eventual champ Oakland.

"Today is bittersweet," Tygard said. "To leave a place that I truly love, people I care strongly about, the relationships our family has built with so many people at Blackman. I can't say how appreciative I am of the entire Blackman community and how great of a place this is to live and work.

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"While I am sad to leave, I am excited to become the first head of football operations for Cleveland City Schools and Cleveland High School's head football coach."

Tygard's new position will include having full control over organization and hiring for football in Cleveland for junior leagues, middle school, freshmen, JV and varsity teams.

"The unrivaled support," said Tygard, when asked why he left Blackman for Cleveland. "That includes everything. Head of football involves zero teaching, (and) the ability to design a program from youth to varsity. They have a strong booster club and some of the biggest (Tennessee Vols) boosters in the state.

"Cleveland can offer unrivaled opportunities for their student-athletes and coaches and has the 'Friday Night Lights' community who deeply desires and deserves a successful football program. I'm looking forward to taking our culture and style down to the Chattanooga area and see what can happen when a city school system is completely aligned to having a successful program."

Blackman coach Chandler Tygard watches the action during Tuesday's scrimmage vs. Lebanon.

Tygard came from Alabama to take over at Blackman in January 2021 after Kit Harstfield left to take a position at Mt. Pleasant.

His high-powered offensive philosophy helped Blackman average more than 40 points per game during his two seasons and made stars out of quarterback Jack Risner, wide receiver Justin Brown (now at Mississippi State) and tight end Ben Marshall (a California signee).

Blackman will be seeking its third coach in five years. Hartsfield spent three years at the helm after replacing David Watson in December 2017.

"We hope the best for (Tygard) and his family," Blackman principal Justin Smith said. "We have already begun the search for the next head coach who will build upon the level of excellence that the Blackman football community is known for."

Cleveland went 6-4 last season, finishing fifth in Region 6-3A and failing to reach the state playoffs. Coach Marty Wheeler resigned following the season.