Tennessee Temple is a Christian liberal arts college and seminary in Chattanooga. Staff File Photo.In four years at Tennessee Temple University, Kenrick Liburd has coached women’s volleyball and basketball and men’s and women’s soccer. He’s been the constant in the athletic department during that time, and now he’s overseeing it.
The 33-year-old Liburd has been promoted to athletic director for the National Christian College Athletic Association schoo. While he will continue as women’s basketball coach, he’s turning the men’s soccer team over to Ignacio “Nacho” Ortiz.
Ortiz, 28, was the associate head coach last fall after serving two years as a graduate assistant following his one season as a Temple player in a move from Argentina. The Ecuador native has a master’s degree in ministry from TTU and is working on another master’s in Christian education.
“I really believe God put me here,” Ortiz said, “to work in the lives of the players and in the community. We already have started doing soccer clinics for kids every Saturday.
“I think I am taking over the team at a great time. Coach Liburd has been building it up, and they have a foundation. Now we just need to bring in people to make it better” — filling in gaps and increasing depth, he explained.