Ooltewah High School coach Benny Monroe directs the team as they warm up for a game at Ooltewah. Staff File PhotoWhether he's playing golf, fishing or even just catching up on his "honey-do" list at home, Benny Monroe's thoughts often drift back to the football field.
Even in retirement, after more than 30 years of stalking sidelines, one of the Chattanooga area's most successful high school coaches can't get away from the game.
"Jane and I would pick a different game to go to and just watch last year," Monroe said, referring to weekly road trips with his wife. "There's something about the atmosphere of being at a game on Friday nights, and when I'm not there I miss it.
"I still think about the game a lot and miss being on the sideline with the boys and the adrenaline rush you get during the game."
Monroe guided three area programs to success that has been unmatched by the coaches who followed him at those schools. and he retired with a 259-65 overall record.
After taking McMinn County to its only state semifinal appearance, Monroe's Cleveland teams won three consecutive Class 4A state championships and 54 straight games at one point from 1993 to '95, and he later took Ooltewah to the state semifinals twice.
Those accomplishments rank Monroe third on the Times Free Press sports department staff's top 10 list of the greatest area coaches. The late E.B. "Red" Etter, who coached at Central and Baylor, tops the list, followed by Dalton's legendary former coach Bill Chappell.
Monroe continues to cast a long shadow at the schools where he once coached, especially at Cleveland, where the stadium is named in his honor.
"Everybody who has been here since Benny has felt the pressure of having big shoes to fill because of what he accomplished," said current Blue Raiders coach E.K. Slaughter. "I've admired him for years because of his demeanor and how much respect he commanded.
"Coach Monroe did everything first-class, and it's an honor to be here and follow what he built."
For former players stopping by his house to check in and younger coaches calling for advice, Monroe remains simply "Coach."
"The things that mean the most to me are having former players call or come visit," Monroe said. "And it's a great feeling when younger coaches like Derrick Davis [Polk County] or Bo Cagle [McMinn County] call to talk about the game.
"I'm always eager to give whatever advice I can and talk about strategy and what worked or didn't work for me. That's just another way for me to stay involved in the game now, I guess."