Brainerd High School football coach Martels Carter Sr. has resigned, effective immediately, due to health reasons.
Carter was entering his second season as coach of the Panthers, having guided them to a 5-6 record and a return to the Class 3A playoffs last year.
"I have been dealing with some health issues for a while, and I had a stroke three weeks ago, which was really scary," Carter said Friday. "I need to take care of my health and make some life-changing decisions to take care of myself and for my family."
Defensive backs coach Sammy Seamster, who was a prep star at Ooltewah and later played for five years in the NFL, will take over as head coach.
"Scoop did an amazing job of reestablishing pride in the program and providing the family atmosphere that our kids need," Brainerd athletic director Levar Brown said of Carter. "In the short amount of time he was the coach, he and his staff created opportunities for kids to get into college, and we appreciate all his hard work.
"We are extremely blessed to be able to turn the program over to a former NFL player on our staff. With Coach Carter's health concerns, Sammy had already taken on more of a role overseeing some things. He's been with us for two years, and the kids know and trust him, so we don't have to hit reset or do a coaching search this close to the season."
The Panthers return 17 starters from last season — seven on offense and all but one on defense — and are expected to not only contend once again for the playoffs but also to be one of the top teams in their region.
Seamster, who works as a fireman for the city of Chattanooga, played defensive back for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins during his NFL career.
Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga quarterback Terrell Robinson and offensive line coach John Albach will share coordinator duties on that side of the ball.
"I think it will help the kids to have a familiar face overseeing things," Seamster said. "Obviously they will have a new guy as their head coach, but everything else will stay the same. It will be the same offensive and defensive system, so the kids shouldn't have to adjust to anything new.
"We hate to lose our coach, but I'm very excited for the opportunity. I always thought I would work my way up and get the chance to be a head coach one day, but it's happened faster than I expected. I hope the community will get behind us and be supportive."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com.
Staff file photo / Former Ooltewah and NFL football Sammy Seamster, center, is taking over as Brainerd High School's football coach with the resignation of Martels Carter due to health reasons.