Mark MariakisAs he walked the Chattanooga Christian School campus recently, stopping to discuss the new fieldhouse that, once completed, will include a sprawling strength and conditioning area and locker rooms, Mark Mariakis got an overwhelming feeling of deja vu.
It was 11 years ago, while taking a similar tour along the grounds at Ridgeland High School, that he saw the untapped potential of what would become one of the area’s top prep football programs. When he was introduced as Ridgeland’s new head coach there were only 17 faces staring back at him. By the time he resigned last month the program’s numbers had swelled to 130 and he had won at least seven games eight times, claimed four region championships and a trip to Georgia’s Class AAAA state championship game in 2012.
Because he could envision the same promising future at CCS, Mariakis has agreed to cross the state line, coming just a little north of his former job, and accept a new role as an assistant coach, where he’ll work for long-time friend and second-year Chargers head coach Rob Spence.
“We’ve had a relationship since meeting at an FCA coaches camp more than 10 years ago,” Mariakis said. “I know where his heart is for kids, and it’s the same for everybody I met at CCS. It’s just a great fit, and I’m excited to have the chance to be a part of the game still.
“I remember standing on the hill overlooking the football stadium and school when I interviewed at Ridgeland and believing we could build something special. I got that same feeling at CCS. It’s recharged my battery.”
Pardon the cliché but this certainly seems to be a match made in football heaven. Mariakis is among the area’s most respected coaches for his ability to build a program as well as for his character and leadership.
A devout Christian – he will continue working as a Relationship Coach for the North Georgia chapter of the FCA – Mariakis’ faith came under fire three years ago from the Freedom From Religion group who complained that he should not be allowed to lead Ridgeland’s team in pregame/postgame prayer or have local churches supply pregame meals.
Even as that debate thrust Ridgeland into the national spotlight, and while facilitating dozens of college coaches recruiting former Panthers All America Vonn Bell, Mariakis was able to guide the team to the state title game.
No longer working for a public school, Mariakis said it felt like a “breath of fresh air” knowing he can now share his faith with players and students at CCS.
Meanwhile the Chargers appear to be already on the cusp of becoming the area’s next perennial playoff team. Spence, who took over at CCS after a career as a college assistant that included offensive coordinator stints at Clemson and Syracuse, guided the team to its first playoff appearance last season. The facility upgrades, having already doubled the roster numbers in the last two years, and now the hiring of the 52-year-old Mariakis, who will work with the defense and special teams, only strengthen the likelihood of CCS’ fledgling football program taking off.
“There were two big reasons that drew me to want to have Mark join our staff – his outstanding character and coaching ability,” Spence said. “I feel very blessed to have a man of his stature come to our school and our program because he had so many other options he could’ve taken.
“You look at his accomplishments, and they’re very impressive, but there’s also the fact that we’re like-minded not only in our coaching style but our philosophy on leading young men. I’m excited to have a coach and man on our staff who also wants to affect lives in a positive way. We’re still in the beginning stages of building our program but this sends a message that CCS is going to be a first-class organization and we’re serious about having a winning program.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.
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