Looking to ensure its young football program continues to take steps toward becoming a championship contender, Chattanooga Christian School turned to a veteran coach with experience in guiding multiple programs to that level.
Less than two weeks after its head coaching position came open, CCS filled it with Phil Massey, whose career accomplishments include helping guide three programs to state title games.
“During the interview and selection process, and as word got out that Coach Massey was being considered for this position, it was common for me and other CCS leaders to receive unsolicited calls and text messages from people wanting to share how profoundly they were impacted by him,” CCS athletic director Daniel Russell said. “They shared comments like ‘He is the type of coach I would want my son to play for,’ and how great a fit he would be for CCS.
“We were struck by his passion for Christ-centered discipleship and relationships with student-athletes as well as his Division II knowledge. His college-like coaching approach is an added benefit, and I believe this style, combined with a proven relationship and discipleship-focused plan, will help propel our program forward.”
Massey worked as Baylor School’s head coach for the past 16 seasons, compiling a 112-73 record and reaching the TSSAA playoffs in all but two of those seasons, including consecutive Division II-AAA state runner-up finishes in 2010-11. His time with the Red Raiders marked the third-longest tenure in program history, and his teams reached at least the state semifinals six times.