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Former CHS assistant coach Sisk named new Tullahoma football coach
Tullahoma didn’t have to look very far to find its next football coach as former assistant Coy Sisk has
been promoted and is the new Head Coach of the Wildcats.
“My family and I are flattered that I was even a candidate for this position,” Sisk said. “I’m super excited to keep serving Tullahoma City Schools and to still be a Wildcat.”
Sisk had been an assistant coach for the Wildcats since 2014, and takes over for longtime
Tullahoma coach John Olive, who retired in early December following the program’s first-ever state title. Sisk has also served as defensive coordinator at Coffee County – first joining the CHS staff as an assistant in 2003.
During his 29 seasons in Tullahoma, Olive’s teams combined for a 203-126 record.
When Olive began his tenure in Tullahoma in 1993, Sisk was a junior at Lincoln County High School. Looking back, Sisk said he remembers facing Olive’s first Wildcat football team during a preseason scrimmage.
“We used to compete in a jamboree and played Tullahoma every year. I got to play against Coach Olive’s first- ever Tullahoma team,” Sisk said. “Those are stories that I’ve been able to share with Coach Olive over the years. Coach Olive created a high standard here at Tullahoma, and now my job is to uphold that as head
coach. The foundation is built for success because of him.”
Once Olive retired from his position, several assistant coaches began discussing who the next coach should be amongst themselves. During the conversations, Sisk said he would apply for the opportunity so long as he had the backing of his fellow assistant coaches.
Once gaining their approval, Sisk submitted his application.
“If you go into a position where you think that you’re the guy, you’re getting ready to be humbled really quickly,” Sisk said. “I work with a great group of guys who communicate well together. These coaches are
really fun to be around, and they are also very knowledgeable.”
In the search for a new coach, THS Principal Jason Quick said that he wanted somebody who could produce
wins on the football field, but more importantly, he wanted a coach who would be a great role model for his
players. According to Quick, Sisk embodies all of those qualities.
“I am very excited to have Coy Sisk as the new head coach of the THS football program,” Quick said. “As the
criterion for the characteristics desired in the next head coach was being created, three areas were very
important to me. The first was that the candidate needed to possess character, integrity and leadership.
Secondly, our coach needs to have the ability to create and nurture relationships with all shareholders of the program including players, coaches, parents and the community. Lastly, I wanted to find a candidate who has demonstrated success on the football field. Coach Sisk checked all three of these boxes and many more. I also received tremendous feedback from the Wildcat Nation stating their belief that Coy is the right man for the job. I am looking forward to having him lead our program as we enter the next 100 years of Wildcat football.”
While the Wildcats won their first state championship in December, it was the second state title for Sisk. At
Lincoln County, Sisk was a junior during the Falcons’ state championship win.
“This past year, I reflected back to 1993 and shared with our players about what they might expect during that state title week,” Sisk said. “It was really neat to see our players go through the same experience after such an exciting year. They are a wild and fun bunch of players to be around, and they definitely stepped up and took care of business when they needed to. Not every group of players is like that, but these guys were.”
After graduating from Lincoln County High School, Sisk attended Maryville College and Middle Tennessee
State University, where he received degrees in physical and secondary education. He was previously an
assistant coach at Lincoln, Marshall and Coffee counties before joining the staff at Tullahoma in 2014.
“This is such an exciting day as we introduce Coy Sisk as the new Tullahoma football coach,” said TCS
Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens. “In my two years at Tullahoma, it’s been a joy to see the success that the Wildcats have had on the football field. More importantly, it has been fun to watch the interactions between players and coaches; it is easy to see the players’ love, respect, and admiration for Coach Sisk. This hiring feels like a natural and right fit for our football program, and I’m so thrilled for the future of Tullahoma High School football.”
While the Wildcats may not kick off the 2022 campaign until August, Sisk said he has thought a lot about this upcoming season. Now that he’s the head coach, he mentioned some qualities that he wants to see from his players.
“On the field, I want our guys to be humble but play the game hard; we want them to be gritty and tough,” Sisk said. “I always want them to play the game with class and remember that it’s never ok to quit. That goes for off the field as well. They should work hard and give their best wherever they are, on or off the field. Each time they’re out in the community or on the field, they represent Tullahoma, the school, and their family. There are so many life lessons that football teaches, and I hope that these guys can carry those lessons with them as they move on to the next level.”
Janice Bryan Gleason
Janice Bryan Gleason , 77, passed this life on Thursday, December 30, 2021. Her life mission is over, but her eternal journey has begun. Janice was born on June 27, 1944, in West Palm Beach, FL to the late David and Phyllis Bryan. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Tullahoma for over 30 years. She was a Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, loved singing in the choir, and was on numerous church committees. Janice was a teaching leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and also started a women’s Bible Study at FBC called Morning Glories that drew countless women into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Janice also served her community through Life Choices Pregnancy Center and the Tullahoma Women’s Club. Janice loved her family and friends with her whole heart, but she loved serving her savior, Jesus Christ, most of all. The light of Christ shown through Janice and she sought to serve her Lord every day. Janice found the love of her lifetime with Ed, her husband of 59 years, and they were the picture of a godly marriage to everyone who knew them. Janice was predeceased by her mother and father, step-mother Evaleen Bryan, and sister Marcia Crouch. Janice is survived by her loving husband, Ed, and sons, Steve (Katie) of Tullahoma, TN, Jeff (Melissa) of Birmingham, AL, and Scott (Bekah) of New Bern, NC. Janice adored her grandchildren: Emily, Grant (Sarah), Ben, Daniel, Micah, Elise, and Eli. She also had a wonderful relationship with her brother, Dave (Karen) Bryan of Oklahoma and sister, Susie (Don) Gilliland of El Dorado. Visitation will be held at Kilgore Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 4th from 5:00 to 8:00pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 5th at 11:30am at First Baptist Church, Tullahoma with Dr. Scott Gleason and Dr. Andy Stallings officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. The family has requested that those attending the visitation and funeral to please wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church, Tullahoma. Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Joe Darden
Donald Joe Darden
Born April 5, 1943, along with twin brother, Ronald Jack Darden, to Jack
Darden and Lucille Coop Darden; Paternal grandparents, Silas Edward Darden,
Sr. and Eva Bigger Darden; Maternal grandparents, Elijah Warner Coop and
Manerva Lynch Coop; survived by brothers, Roy Alan Darden, Thomas Ray
Darden (Jo Ann), Ronald Jack Darden (Judy), Glenn H. Darden (Peggy),
Richard Boyd Darden (Carol), John Oliver Darden (Vina), and Dan Keith
Darden (Teresa).
Don is also survived by his wife of 53 years, Dianna Hall Darden and their
five children, LTC Greg Darden (Rosina) of Fayetteville, NC, Jack Avery
Darden (Manicia) of Nolensville, Emily Gail Darden-Kerr (Neil) of
Russellville, Kentucky, David Edward Darden (Rebecca) of Murfreesboro,
Steven Darden of Manhattan, NY and grandchildren, Harrison Paul Kerr,
Tendai Darden and Lucy Darden.
Don served in the United States Army, most notably during the Vietnam war,
and along with other awards received a Joint Service Commendation Medal as
well as an honorable discharge.
Don received a Bachelor of Science from Middle Tennessee State University
and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee.
His professional career included becoming the first Executive Director and
organizer of the South Central Tennessee Development District; he wrote the
charter forming the South Central Agency and served as its Chairman while
County Executive of Coffee County. He also served as City Manager of
Jefferson City; City Administrator of LaFollette; and Municipal Management
Consultant for the University of Tennessee {MTAS}, from which he retired in
2010. He provided technical assistance to Tennessee cities and taught
courses in municipal management, health insurance, and economic development
for the university. Don received the highest award given by the Institute
of Public Service of the University of Tennessee.
Don was a member of Harmony Baptist Church in Tullahoma. He taught Sunday
School for 50 Years in churches in Columbia, Tullahoma, and Jefferson City
and was a Deacon of Lincoln Heights, Grace Baptist, and Harmony Baptist
Church in Tullahoma.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the
St. Jude’s Children Hospital, Don Darden Memorial Gift Fund
<https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=7336589&pg=personal&fr_id=39300>.
https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=7336589&pg=personal&fr_id=39300
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Maurice Anderson
William Maurice Anderson, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed
away on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at the Unity Medical Center in Manchester,
TN. In his last days, Maurice was still living at home and had celebrated
both his 96th birthday and his 74th wedding anniversary with his devoted
wife, Zalah, who was by his side when he passed suddenly. He had just
celebrated Christmas with his family a few days earlier and was in good
spirits. Maurice was born June 4, 1925 and raised in the Noah community of
Coffee County and graduated from Manchester Central High. He served in the
US Navy for 2 years on the USS Cumberland Sound in the Pacific theater
during WWII. After the war, Maurice participated in the decommissioning of
Camp Forrest. Following that, he was contracted to repair and maintain
aging smokestacks in the Northeast US. After his travels, he returned to
Manchester, where he owned and operated service stations at two locations
for several years. In 1968 he began a career at the Manchester Water
Department, retiring as office manager in 1988. Maurice was a longstanding
member of the First Baptist Church in Manchester where he enjoyed worship,
gospel music, and his close-knit Sunday school class. Maurice was devoted
to his family and was known as the definitive fix-it man for the immediate
and extended family. Maurice was a very active person who did not like
sitting in one place for very long. He loved tinkering in his workshop,
caring for his lawn, and growing vegetables, taking special pride in his
summer tomatoes—while always sharing his abundant harvest with others.
Maurice is survived by his wife, Zalah Anderson, Coffee County native;
daughter, Sherry Anderson Simons of Coffee County; grandson, Ryan Matthew
Mason of Nashville, and granddaughter Logan Maurisa Henderson (Brandon) of
Manchester; and, great-grandson, Timothy Lee Henderson. Maurice was
preceded in death by his mother, Earline Thomas; father, Lonnie Harrell
Anderson; his sister, Margaret Ann Bass; and son, Larry Maurice Anderson.
Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, January 2, 2022, from 4:00pm
until 7:00pm at Central Funeral Home in Manchester, TN. Funeral services
will be conducted on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 2:00pm in the chapel of
Central Funeral Home with Dr. Brenton Cox officiating. Burial will follow
at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, TN.
SNOW PATROL – JANUARY 3
SNOW PATROL
For Monday, January 3. Presented by the bread and milk experts at Spring Street Market – 801 S Spring St.
Temple Baptist Christian School – CLOSED
(Coffee Co and Manchester City schools were already closed for students Monday as part of Christmas break)
Local prep sports return on Monday
After a long hiatus for the holiday break, area sports returns full swing beginning Monday, Jan. 3 – and so does Thunder Radio’s unmatched coverage.
On Monday, Jan. 3, Coffee Middle School will welcome West Tullahoma to CMS for a conference double-header. Girls tip at 6 p.m. and boys to follow – both games will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio as part of the Ben Lomand Connect Hometown Sports series.
Also on Monday, Westwood basketball teams hit the road for a conference game at Forrest. .
On Tuesday, Jan. 4, CHS wrestling will be at home for a match with Stewarts Creek and La Vergne.
Thursday, Jan. 6, Coffee Middle will host Warren County at 6 p.m. – a Thunder Radio broadcast. Westwood will host Liberty at 6 p.m. – a Thunder Radio internet stream broadcast.
Also on Thursday, CHS wrestling will host Blackman and Dickson County.
On Friday, the CHS Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball teams return to the court. Both teams will be at Shelbyville for their district openers. Girls tip at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow and both games will be broadcast on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, thunder1320.com and the Manchester Go Smartphone App.
Donation match available for next year’s Wreaths Across America
For those interested in making a donation to the area Wreaths Across America program, there will be a match available for next year – but donations must be made in the next week.
This past year was the fifth year for local ceremonies and wreath placement on veterans graves in local cemeteries. This program began with three locations and expanded to 11 this year with wreaths placed on more than 1,000 veteran graves.
If you would like to make a donation to the program, it will be matched. For example, a $100 donation will become a $200 donation. Wreaths cost $15 each.
The match will only be made through the local sponsoring committee. Any donation checks should be made out to Wreaths Across America and checks must be in hand by Jan. 10. You can drop off your donation at Clower Automotive on McArthur Street in Manchester.
Report ranks Tennessee 41st for Health outcomes
FROM TENNESSEE PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE
A new report provides insight into what Tennessee could focus on in the New Year to improve the health of its residents.
The America’s Health Rankings 2021 report from UnitedHealthcare ranks Tennessee a dismal 41st among states for health outcomes. The state’s notable challenges include high numbers of smokers and people with multiple chronic health conditions, as well as high levels of mental distress.
The report also reveals a 20% increase in obesity among Tennesseans in the past decade.
Dr. Matthew Spann, weight loss surgeon and director of surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, believes obesity is endemic, and needs to be addressed from a healthcare standpoint.
“Obesity is a disease just like high blood pressure and high cholesterol,” Spann explained. “It has a genetic component, it has an environmental component, and it’s associated with many other health problems that ultimately can shorten your life.”
Tennessee’s obesity rate is 35.6%, compared with about 32% nationally. The state received positive marks in the report for low rates of excessive drinking and a high high-school graduation rate. Also, fewer adults are reporting insufficient sleep and fewer are avoiding healthcare due to cost.
Adequate nutrition and physical activity also are areas of concern, as Tennessee ranked 32nd in those categories.
Spann contended the conveniences of modern society are somewhat to blame.
“Healthy food choices have become more and more limited, especially as there’s a greater gravity towards fast foods, which have a little bit less nutritional value,” Spann asserted. “We’ve also seen the rise in sedentary lifestyles, less physical activity.”
The research also found an uptick in deaths between 2019 and 2020 nationwide.
Dr. Ravi Johar, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare, said the pandemic contributed about 70% of the death-rate increase, but more people died from causes such as stroke or cancer as well.
“We had a 17% increase in the death rate, and that 17% doesn’t even reflect some populations,” Johar outlined. “We know Hispanics and African Americans, the death rate was even higher than that.”
Tennessee ranks 38th among the states for its mortality rate.
Tullahoma to introduce new head football coach Monday
Tullahoma High School will be holding a public event this Monday, Jan. 3, in the THS gymnasium at noon to introduce the new Wildcat Head Football Coach. A small reception will take place after the conclusion of the event.
The hiring of a new football coach comes after John Olive retired from that position in early December. In his final season at the helm of the Wildcats, Olive led Tullahoma to the first state title in program history with a 21-14 victory over Elizabethton and capped off a 15-0 season. During his 29 seasons in Tullahoma, Olive’s teams combined for a 203-126 record, and he finished his coaching career with an overall mark of 229-141.
“After a historic 2021 season, we want to keep the magic alive and are asking all members of the Wildcat Nation to come out as we introduce our new head football coach,” said THS Principal Jason Quick. “It’s certainly an exciting time for Tullahoma High School athletics and the community as a whole. We are looking forward to the next 100 years of Wildcat football as the program continues to represent us all proudly.”
Tennessee receives oral antiviral COVID-19 treatment supply; medicines are available at select Walmart pharmacies
Last week, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) announced the state has received shipments of the Merck and Pfizer oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for molnupirvar by Merck and an emergency use authorization for Paxlovid™ by Pfizer as oral antiviral treatments of COVID-19.
Early studies indicate these treatment options may reduce severe outcomes from COVID-19 including hospitalization or death. These treatments are recommended for individuals who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 or have underlying medical conditions.
Consult with your physician about your risk factors when taking these treatments. Both drugs require a prescription.
The Tennessee Department of Health coordinated a distribution plan of molnupiravir and Paxlovid™ with Walmart pharmacies across the state. This treatment is free, and Tennesseans can visit www.walmart.com/covidmedication to find a participating Walmart pharmacy near them.
Currently, the Walmart locations in McMinnville and Shelbyville offer the the medicines. Manchester and Tullahoma pharmacies do not at this time.
Initial supply in the state is limited as the first allocation from the federal government was 5,000 courses of molnupiravir and 1,000 courses of Paxlovid™. TDH anticipates additional allocations in the coming weeks as production increases.
While antivirals may help treat COVID-19, vaccination is the best approach to prevent infection. Tennesseans age 5 and above are encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals ages 16 and above who received an mRNA vaccine may also be eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after they complete the initial series.
For adults ages 18 and older who received single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a booster dose is recommended at two or more months after the initial vaccine. More information on vaccine locations, including available vaccine products, is available at vaccines.gov.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health