Big changes happened fast within Boyd-Buchanan's athletic offices Monday. Shortly after the school officially named Tommy Brown its new athletic director, he was in search of a new head football coach.
Carter Cardwell, who had been the Buccaneers' head coach the past two seasons, announced his resignation Monday morning as well.
"I haven't known Carter long, but I appreciate his service to Boyd-Buchanan and our football program," said Brown, who added that he hopes to have an interim coach named later this week.
Prep football teams were allowed to return to conditioning and practice Monday after the TSSAA's mandatory two-week dead period. The Bucs will kick off their season barely more than a month from now.
Before taking over as head coach, Cardwell had been the Bucs' offensive coordinator for six seasons. He compiled a 9-12 overall record as head coach.
He previously had worked mostly in the college ranks as an assistant, spending time at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Auburn, Clemson, VMI, Maryville College and Sewanee, as well as on the prep level at Red Bank, McMinn County and his alma mater, Loudon.
Attempts to reach Cardwell were not successful.
Brown is a 1989 Boyd-Buchanan graduate who has coached basketball at the collegiate level for 19 years. He was a semifinalist for the 2012-13 Don Meyer National Coach of the Year award while working as head coach at Lee University. He guided Lee to the NAIA Division I national tournament in eight consecutive seasons, including a quarterfinal appearance and two round-of-16 appearances. He also led the Flames to more than 240 victories, two 30-win seasons and six years with 20-plus wins.
"I literally grew up next door to the school," Brown said. "My family has always loved Boyd-Buchanan, and I know there is a great deal of passion from the alumni. I want all of our programs to do well, and that will be my focus."
Prior to working at Lee, Brown spent seven years as head coach and athletic director at Bluefield College, where he led the Rams to the NAIA Division II national tournament four times.
"Bringing Tommy on board to oversee our athletics program will strengthen athletics and further advance our school's mission in many ways," school president Jill Hartness said in a news release.
Contact Stephen Hargis at 423-757-6293 or shargis@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.