Blackmon Named New Bradley Central Wrestling Coach

Former Bears Assistant Takes Reins From Retiring Ben Smith

  • Wednesday, March 22, 2023

The administration of Bradley Central High School is thrilled to announce the appointment of Bryant Blackmon as the new head wrestling coach for the Bradley Central High School boys’ wrestling team. Coach Blackmon replaces retiring Coach Ben Smith for whom he served as assistant coach for 7 years.

Coach Blackmon takes the helm with his own rich history with the Bradley Central High School wrestling program. He began as a member of the wrestling team under legendary Coach Steve Logsdon. From 2001-2004, he was a member of the TSSAA traditional and duals state championship teams. In 2003, he was the 171 pound state wrestling runner-up; and in 2004, he became the 171 pound state champion. Following high school, he attended and wrestled for Oklahoma State University and was a member of the 2005 and 2006 NCAA National Championship teams. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor’s degree in finance and earned his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University.

After graduation, Coach Blackmon continued to have an impact on the wrestling world pouring into young wrestlers as a coach. He was an assistant coach at Greenback High School for 2 years and the head coach for 1 year. He was an assistant coach at Walker Valley High School for 4 years and the head coach at Ooltewah High School for 2 years. In 2016, he returned to his alma mater to become an assistant coach at BCHS under Coach Ben Smith. This vast experience has prepared him to take the reins of one of the most decorated programs in the state of Tennessee. Principal Patrick Spangler stated, “We are very excited about the future of our Bears wrestling program. Coach Blackmon bleeds black and gold and will carry on the long standing tradition of one of the top wrestling programs in the state of Tennessee.”

Turner Jackson, Bradley Central High School Athletic Director, said, “I’m excited to welcome Coach Blackmon as our head coach. His deep roots at Bradley help him understand the expectations that come with being a part of the BCHS organization, while his experience at OSU gives him an understanding of how to help our kids achieve at the next level. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program and gives our kids the best of both worlds.”

Ben Smith, retiring Bradley Central High School Head Wrestling Coach, remarked, “I could not be more excited for Coach Blackmon, his family, and the current staff . He and his family have been an extension of my family for over 20 years. I was blessed to be a small part of his competitive career, and it has brought me great joy and pride to coach alongside him for the past seven seasons. I have watched him grow in his faith, mature as a husband, father, and coach, as well as evolve into one of the most detailed-oriented technicians, well-rounded wrestling minds, and transformational coaches that I have ever been around. He is ready! He and the returning staf have already been hard at work and I am so excited for him, his staff , and the future of Bradley Wrestling. God Bless and Go Bears!.”

Coach Blackmon stated, “I want to thank Dr. Cash, Mr. Spangler, and the Board of Education who has chosen to give me an opportunity to be the Head Wrestling Coach at Bradley Central High School. This is one of the greatest honors and highlights of my life! Bradley County Schools and the Bradley Wrestling program changed my life as a young man and now as an adult on so many levels (student, athlete, teacher, coach). My family has been greatly impacted and changed in ways that I could never repay or put into words by this community, school system, and wrestling program.Thank you to all who have walked with, changed our lives through faith, and invested in my family to get us to a point in our lives where this opportunity could even be possible! Most importantly, I want to thank my family for their sacrifice, commitment, support, and journey through faith! Our staff and my family are excited and committed to continuing the tradition of Bradley Wrestling!"

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