The blow just keep coming for the DeKalb County High School basketball program. Just over a month and a half after longtime Lady Tigers’ basketball coach, and head Tigerettes softball coach, Danny Fish announced his departure from the DCHS programs, now the head and assistant Tigers basketball coaches have also announced they are leaving.
“I’m going to be going to Trousdale County High School, teaching physical education and government, and helping Coach Ryan Sleeper with the boys’ basketball team,” DCHS Tigers basketball coach John Sanders told the Smithville Review.
Last week, Sanders sent his letter of resignation to DCHS Principal Bruce Curtis.
“After a lot of prayer, and talking with my wife, I would like to resign my position as PE Teacher and Boys Basketball Coach,” the letter read. “It was nice to work for you and get to know you this past year. Have a great rest of the summer and a great school year.”
Sanders said the decision was a hard decision, but it allowed him and his family to be closer to their roots. “The opportunity came up and I thought about it for a week or so, prayed about it. The job in Trousdale County came out of the blue, and it gave me the opportunity to be closer to home and see my family more. I live about 15 minutes and it will be nice to be closer to home.”
Sanders grew up in Smith County, where his father, John Trey Sanders, serves as the head basketball coach of the Smith County Owls. Coach Sanders came to DCHS in 2018, after serving as an assistant boys’ basketball coach at Murfreesboro Oakland High School. He and his wife Kristen, still reside in Carthage, and are parents of two children, 3-year-old Quinn and infant Jo Lynn.
“I appreciate the support that all the fans gave us over the last four years,” Sanders said. “I also appreciate the administration and Director [Patrick] Cripps. He’s always been really good to me. I’m going to miss the faculty I work with, and I appreciate the kids and all their efforts the last four years.”
During his four years at DCHS from 2018-22, Sanders’ overall record was 36-73 and 17-37 in the district according to Coach T.
The boys’ basketball program has also lost its assistant coach, Logan Vance, after it was announced last week that he will be taking on coaching duties at Smith County Middle School.
There has been no announcement as of yet as to who may be in the running as the DCHS Tigers basketball coaching replacements. Brandy Alley was named as Lady Tiger Basketball Coach last month, and Danielle Tyson Horton will head the Tigerette softball program.
