Jay Graham, former Tennessee football star, named Centennial coach

This story was updated to correct an inaccuracy.

Former Tennessee football running back and assistant coach Jay Graham was announced as Centennial’s new football coach Tuesday.

Graham played for Tennessee football from 1993-96 and was an All-SEC running back before spending six seasons in the NFL. He worked for nearly two decades as a college assistant coach, including a stop under former Alabama coach Nick Saban. He coached Tennessee running backs in 2012 and again from 2020-22.

Graham stepped away from college football in 2022 and was hired as Concord Christian middle school coach in Farragut.

He replaces Jamaal Stewart, who went 17-8 in two seasons with two playoff appearances at Centennial before resigning to take an offensive coordinator position under Roc Batten at Pope John Paul II.

Graham was on Florida State’s staff when it won the 2013 national title. His other college coaching stops include Chattanooga, San Diego, UT Martin, Miami (Ohio), South Carolina and Texas A&M.

“We are extremely excited to have coach Graham join the Centennial community,” Centennial principal Kevin Dyson said in a statement. “He not only brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Centennial, but he has also been regarded as one of the nation’s top mentors and developers of young men, and that is what I am most excited about him bringing to the Cougar family.”

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee football: Jay Graham hired as Centennial coach

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/jay-graham-former-tennessee-football-164144868.html

Author : The Tennessean

Publish date : 2025-03-04 16:41:00

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