Brian Cadle is stepping into the Cookeville tennis program with a long-term vision, aiming to preserve the Cavaliers’ tradition of success while building partnerships that can grow the sport from the high school level to junior tennis across the Upper Cumberland.
Brian Cadle is taking over as the head coach for the Cookeville High School boys and girls tennis teams with plans to partner with Tennessee Tech to expand the sport across the region.
Brian Cadle said the opportunity to lead the program developed unexpectedly at the start of the school year following the departure of the previous coach. Cadle said he interviewed with Principal Trinham and athletic administrators after a social studies teaching position opened up that matched his professional background.
“This opportunity, there’s just so many positives for me personally and professionally and just really was just very hard to say no,” Cadle said. “I really loved DeKalb County High School, had a great experience here, great friends, great community.”
Cadle said he previously served as a school administrator in Putnam County and already resides in Cookeville with his wife, Susan. Cadle said his familiarity with the program comes from competing against the Cavaliers during his three seasons coaching the DeKalb County Tigers.
“Tennessee Tech’s courts are being renovated here after, there’s a process of getting a parking garage and new courts,” Cadle said. “And the college coach there, Coach Kleisner, is ready to partner with me.”
Cadle said the renovation of the Community Center courts and the addition of a new shelter building provide the infrastructure necessary to host tournaments. Cadle said these local facilities are essential for his goal of growing junior tennis through the USTA.
“My coaching philosophy is developing character and as a lifelong skill, but also teaching kids how the game of tennis is a lifelong game, and really just teaching them a life philosophy of committing yourself to something greater than you are and being part of the team and doing your part to be excellent at your position, which all of these are qualities of just being a successful adult in the future,” Cadle said.
Cadle said he intends to maintain the existing positive aspects of the team culture rather than making immediate, drastic changes. Cadle said he is currently working to finalize the hiring of assistant coaches and a local tennis pro to ensure a small player-to-coach ratio during practices.
“I want to make my mark in Cookeville of continuing the great tradition of state competitors and earning state championships, while also growing junior tennis in the Upper Cumberland and making Cookeville the hub for USTA tennis for communities all around, including DeKalb and Sparta and Crossville, that they will come to us and that we are really growing the game for not only Cookeville, but for the Upper Cumberland,” Cadle said.
Cadle said the summer and fall months are a crucial period for preparing athletes for the spring high school tennis season.
