One of the Chattanooga area’s most accomplished prep football program builders is stepping away from that role.
After two seasons of overseeing the program, Mark Mariakis has announced he is resigning as Signal Mountain High School’s head football coach. Mariakis informed school administrators and players of his decision on Tuesday.
“I’ve been coaching for 41 years, so at some point you just decide it’s time to step away, even from something you love,” Mariakis said. “I’ve got two daughters in town, a grandbaby and a wife who’s retiring, and they’ve all sacrificed so much for me to do what I felt like was a calling. I need to give back to my family what they have given me for so long: time and attention.
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made in my coaching career. The relationships built, the memories shared and the sense of community here on the mountain have made this chapter of my career one of the most meaningful and fulfilling.
“If I was going to stay somewhere for a length of time, Signal Mountain would be it. The support of the community, the parents and the players have all been over-the-top great.”