BIO BOXBenny Monroe's career accomplishments include a 259-65 combined record in head coaching stops at McMinn County (1972-77), Cleveland (1979-96) and Ooltewah (2005-09). He led Cleveland to Class 4A state championships in 1993, '94, '95, with a 54-game winning streak during that span. The school named its stadium in his honor in 1995. He won the Class AAA boys' track state championship in 1993 with Cleveland and has been inducted into six athletic halls of fame.
Benny Monroe built a successful coaching resume by knowing when to make the right call. Monday morning, he made the toughest call of that legendary career when he announced his retirement.
Monroe, 68, has coached at Ooltewah High School the last five seasons, averaging nearly 10 wins per year and guiding the Owls to the state semifinals in 2006 and '08.
"There are a lot of factors that go into a decision like this," Monroe said. "But mainly, everything just added up to the fact that it's time. We lost a granddaughter last year and I realized I hadn't spent as much time with her as I would've liked. I want to spend as much time with (wife) Jane and our family and friends now as I can, because you never know how much time you have with the people you care about.
"I will really miss the football part of it. I'll especially miss the kids. Telling them was the toughest part."
After seven seasons as an assistant at Maryville High, Monroe was head coach at McMinn County from 1972 through '77. He then spent two years as an assistant at Middle Tennessee State University before taking over Cleveland High School's program, and he spent 18 years building the Blue Raiders into a state powerhouse. Cleveland won three consecutive Class 4A state championships from 1993 to '95, winning 54 straight games during that span.
Cleveland named its stadium in his honor in 1995, and one year later Monroe retired and did not return to coaching until 2005 at Ooltewah. Before his resignation Monday, Monroe was the area's leader among active coaches with an overall record of 259-65. He has been inducted into six halls of fame, including those of the TSSAA and the nation high school coaches association.
"Any time you lose a person of Coach Monroe's stature, you don't replace them," Ooltewah athletic director Jim Jarvis said. "He's a legend among Tennessee coaches, and we're thankful for the five years that he made our program better. He deserves this time with his family.
"Now we will find the best candidate out there to continue the success the program expects. We would like to have someone in place before spring practice, but we won't rush the process."
Defensive coordinator Doug Greene will serve as interim coach and is expected to be a top candidate for the job. Another potential replacement is East Hamilton coach Ted Gatewood, who was the first head coach to take Ooltewah to the playoffs in 2000.
Monroe will finish out the school year as Ooltewah's track and field coach. He guided the Owls to a third-place finish in last year's Class AAA state meet.