July 1, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
Another coaching change at DeKalb County High School.
John Sanders, who for the last four seasons has been head coach of the DCHS Tiger Basketball program has announced his resignation as coach and Physical Education Teacher. Sanders is stepping down to become an assistant to Head Boys Basketball Coach Ryan Sleeper at Trousdale County High School.
“It was something I really wasn’t planning on doing but an opportunity presented itself to get a little closer to home (Carthage). It was a tough decision and one I prayed about for a while, but I think in the long run it will be what’s best for me and my family,” said Coach Sanders.
“I want to thank the DeKalb County administration and the school for being so supportive. I have enjoyed working with my co-workers but it’s the kids that I will miss the most. Everyone was really good to me,” added Coach Sanders.
A native of Smith County, Coach Sanders came to DeKalb County in 2018 after having served as an assistant boys’ basketball coach at Murfreesboro Oakland High School. He and his wife Kristen Oldham Sanders still reside in Carthage. They are the parents of two children, 3-year-old Quinn and Jo Lynn who will be 1 year old in November.
In his four seasons at DCHS from 2018-22, Coach Sanders compiled an overall record of 36-73 and 17-37 in the district according to Coach T.
Meanwhile Tiger Assistant Basketball Coach Logan Vance has also resigned. He is taking a job as teacher and basketball coach at Smith County Middle School.
These resignations come just a little more than a month after DCHS Lady Tiger Basketball and Tigerette Softball Coach Danny Fish decided to leave DCHS to become head boys’ basketball coach at Warren County. Brandy Alley was later named to replace Coach Fish as Lady Tiger Basketball Coach and Danielle Tyson Horton will take over the Tigerette Program.