Reflecting on an outstanding tenure with the Cleveland boys' soccer program, John Brose is very thankful.
Finishing with close to a 70% winning rate and trips to the state tournament in 2007, 2009 and 2017, Brose is stepping away to spend more time with his four young children.
"Life is about relationships. My relationship to God and to my family is the most important," Brose said. "Also the relationships I've build along the way with players, other coaches and the community is what I will take away with me the most."
The Blue Raiders bought into their roles this past season to overcome a 2-7-1 start and win the program's fourth District 5-AAA championship. Losing to a powerful Rhea County earlier team in the season, Cleveland exacted revenge with a shutout win in the Region 3 title match.
Brose goes out with eight district and five region championships along with numerous coaching awards. He had a 169-89-26 career record with Cleveland, which won 11 of its last 12 games in 2019.
"I inherited a successful program from Coach (Rick) Adolph before he went to Ooltewah," he said. "He did a great job and set a strong foundation for me. Throughout the years we've had great players here. I am proud of helping set a good vision for our young men to strive toward. They bought into core values and their roles."
John Brose has handed the Cleveland boys' soccer program over to Miles Christian after 13 years at the helm. Brose directed the Blue Raiders to eight district championships and five region titles.Very similar to how he started, Brose has handed the program to a young up-and-coming coach, 25-year-old Miles Christian, who spent the past three seasons as his assistant coach.
Miles Christian is now the girls' and boys' soccer head coach at Cleveland High School.In Christian's first season aiding the Blue Raiders they compiled a 23-2-3 record and reached the Class AAA state tournament.
"To be a part of a John Brose soccer program is special," said Christian, who is a former Bradley Central and Bryan College standout scorer. "He has done everything right from top to bottom. For him to trust me to lead this program is very humbling. I am blessed to follow a guy who has shown me and a lot of coaches how to coach the right way."
Brose has high expectations for the future of the program.
"Knowing I was handing the program off to a guy who I really trust to do a great job and can carry on the things we have done to be successful made my decision a lot easier," Brose said. "Miles impresses me daily with his work ethic and his knowledge for the game. I know he is going to do a great job. I am excited to see what he can do here."
The Blue Raiders will lose five seniors but return strong playmakers who Christian believes can help make it five straight seasons as district champions and possibly much more.
"We showed how special we could be this year and really came together when in mattered most," said Christian, who is also the Lady Raiders' head coach. "Our upcoming senior class is loaded. To have this opportunity is truly unbelievable, and I am so thankful to Cleveland High School and Coach Brose."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.