The sideline at Benny Monroe Stadium will look different next season. Head Coach Marty Wheeler has hired four new football assistants that will help lead and guide the Cleveland Blue Raiders.

The Defensive Coordinator role will be taken over by David Barger. He joins the CHS staff with a wealth of 23 years of coaching experience. He leaves Rockvale High School where he was the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator since 2019. A 1997 graduate of UTC, Coach Barger has his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and is certified to teach Biology. David and wife, Dawn, have been married for 17 years and are blessed with their 12 year old son, Devin.

Coach Barger said, “My family and I are excited to be joining the Blue Raider Family. I want to thank Mrs. O’Bryan, the entire CHS Administration and Coach Marty Wheeler for the opportunity. Cleveland is a great place to live and work and we are ready to get started.”

Tracy Malone joins the Blue Raider sideline as the Offensive Coordinator. He comes to Cleveland from Knox West where he had the same responsibility with the football team. Coach Malone graduated from McMinn High School then attended MTSU where he majored in education. He’s been married to his wife, Kim, since 1999 and they are blessed with two sons, Reed (16) and Tate (13).

Coach Malone said, “My family and I are beyond excited to be a part of the Cleveland football program and Cleveland High School. The Blue Raiders have a long and storied history of success and I hope I can play a small role in helping Coach Wheeler build on that legacy for years to come".

Another new face for the Blue Raiders is Coach Chase Fleming . He's coming to CHS from Ringgold High School where he taught various classes in the Social Studies department and was the Offensive Coordinator. His responsibilities will be working with the offensive line at Cleveland. Prior to his coaching days, coach Fleming played tight-end for the Carson-Newman Eagles and majored in History and Political Science. Chase and his wife, Tami, are raising four future Blue Raiders: Emma (6), Henry and Charlie (2) and Lanie Ruth (newborn).

Coach Fleming states, “I am beyond excited to join a program with the tradition and expectations that Cleveland has, thank you to Coach Wheeler and Mrs. O'Bryan for the opportunity”.

A familiar face to Cleveland Football will join our high school staff as well. Coach Martez Barber has been a dedicated member of the Cleveland Middle School football team for nine seasons. A 2007 graduate of Cleveland High School and 2015 graduate of Lee University, Coach Barber is a founding member of the Cleveland Youth Football League.

Coach Barber said, “This is an amazing opportunity to coach and give back to my alma mater, a program that has given me so much. I consider it a privilege and honor to be given the task of being part of an incredible staff, rebuilding our program and restoring our rich football tradition!”

Athletic Director David Turner said, “Coach Marty Wheeler has surrounded himself with highly qualified coaches who have already proven themselves with the Blue Raider football team. The upcoming season looks to be exciting and I look forward to our Raider Nation getting to see the team and coaches in action.”

Golf and Cross Country Changes:

A new golf coach and cross country coach were named this week. The 2018 Tennessee PGA Professional of the Year, Lamar Mills, will be the Head Coach of the Cleveland High School golf program. With over 30 years of experience with several golf courses, Coach Mills has been the Head Golf Pro and General Manager of Cleveland Country Club since 2004. An alum of UTC with a degree in secondary education, Lamar has always desired to help local youth with the game of golf. He is married to Stacy and they have three children: Ellie(17), David (13) and Kimber (7).

The Blue Raider Cross Country Team will be led by Johnny Clemons. He will teach and inspire athletes to achieve extraordinary feats of physical, mental and spiritual performances. Coach Clemons will have an individualized, unique training program for his runners that will promote their highest potential in running. Coach Clemons ran competitively for The University of Rio Grande, Ohio University and Lee University. He is married to Rachel and they have three children: Jacob (married to Nicole), Estella (9th grader), and Owen (7th grader).

“Cleveland High School is fortunate to hire both Coach Mills and Coach Clemons to lead their teams. They both have an abundance of knowledge and continue to develop their sport. We are blessed to add them to the Blue Raider Coaching Staff,” adds David Turner.

For more information contact Cleveland High School Athletic Director David Turner at Dturner@clevelandschools.org