It took just three weeks for Soddy-Daisy High School to find its new head football coach, and he’s one of the program’s own.
Carter Cardwell, a defensive assistant and the team’s assistant head coach the past three seasons, has taken over the Trojans.
“I didn’t come here with the intention of being a head coach again, but this is an unexpectedly great honor,” said Cardwell, who also has extensive experience at the collegiate level. “This whole community is great and supports everything about the school.
“I consider coaching to be a calling to help develop young men, and this place is a good opportunity to do just that. When you’re called to coach and the opportunity arises to make an impact, you jump at it.”
Cardwell takes over for Justin Barnes, who stepped down in late January to become the offensive coordinator at Riverdale in Murfreesboro. Barnes had been the Trojans’ coach for nine seasons, guiding them to consecutive Region 4-5A titles in 2018-19. Those accounted for half of the four region championships in program history.