Sunday Sports Brunch: Robinson takes over at Fairley

Gene Robinson has been on one side of the one of football's most passionate neighborhood rivalries. And now he'll be getting a chance to view it from the other.

Robinson — who starred at linebacker at Whitehaven before going on to a successful career at North Carolina — was recently named head coach at Fairley. He replaces Kevin Patterson, who guided the Bulldogs to a 2-9 record in his only season.

"One of the first team meetings we had, some coaches from Virginia Tech came by," said the 26-year-old Robinson. "The players were like, 'Wow, we've never had a college coach in here before.'

"I feel like I can relate to these players. I want them to see that they can come out of the inner city like I did and play college football. I plan to get some tutoring in here, some ACT prep (courses) ... I want every kid that walks out of here ready for college.

"We're ready to get after it."

No one was more thrilled with the hiring than Robinson's coach at Whitehaven, defensive coordinator Errol Harmon.

"I loving it," he said. "I think what got him was when he came down the summer (after graduating from North Carolina) and I asked him to help out. We talked about some of the things he should do and he listened.

"Gene actually taught me things about the game when I coached him. He's a winner and a fighter just like I am."

The Whitehaven-Fairley connection extends to Robinson's new offensive coordinator Leroy Banks. A former college standout at Southern Miss, Banks coached special teams and wide receivers at Whitehaven.

"It's a blessing to have him," said Robinson.

The Bulldogs and Tigers — located about a five-minute drive from one another — have traditionally met early in the season with the last Fairley victory coming in 2002. However, the schools haven't played in the last two seasons after Fairley became a charter school.

With Whitehaven as of this week still looking to round out its 2017 schedule, resurrecting the series now that Robinson's at Fairley seems like a natural move.

"I would love to get that game back on the schedule," Robinson said. "It would be big. Big for Fairley, big for the community."

UTM's Johnson moving up

Jermaine Johnson is clearly a young coach on the move. The former Melrose man has been promoted to associate head coach at Tennessee-Martin after spending the last three seasons as a Skyhawks assistant.

"He has earned this new title (because of) his player development skills, attention to detail and his ability to relate to our student-athletes," said UTM head coach Anthony Stewart in a statement. "Jermaine possesses an elite basketball IQ and I am glad to have him on our side."

Since joining the Skyhawks in 2014, Johnson has helped the team to three consecutive 20-win seasons, the first time that's happened at Martin. Last season's team tied the school record with 22 victories while setting marks for points, field goals, rebounds and assists.

"I am elated and humbled to be given this promotion," Johnson said. "I am super excited about where our program is heading as we continue to empower our student-athletes on and off the court."

In other news, the Skyhawks have signed Lorenzen Wright Jr., who will play for the team as a graduate transfer in 2017-18.

The 6-3 Wright — the son of the late Memphis State and NBA standout — averaged 3.4 points this season at Robert Morris before graduating with a degree in organizational leadership

Saluqis add Southwind star

Tennessee-Martin's loss will be Southwest Tennessee's gain this coming basketball season.

Carlos Marshall, who led Southwind to a 32-7 record and a runner-up spot behind East in Class AAA this past season, announced that he will enroll at Southwest in the fall after originally committing to the Skyhawks. 

"After a lot of hard thinking, praying and talks with my family ... I'm proud to become a Saluqi," Marshall tweeted.

Said Saluqis coach Jerry Nichols, "Carlos Marshall is a special talent. He's a high-caliber player who can score ... (and) his athleticism is off the charts. The sky's the limit; it does depend on how fast he adjusts to the speed of the game."

Nichols' team has compiled a 96-23 record over the last four seasons and — more importantly — is turning out solid DI players. Jimario Rivers is at the University of Memphis while former Ridgeway star Jonathan Burroughs-Cook recently graduated from Chattanooga. Another former Saluqi, David Burrell, helped East Tennessee State to the NCAA Tournament this past season.

"We've got a 98 percent graduation rate and a 100 percent placement rate since I've been there," said Nichols. "Not too many programs in the country can say that."

In addition to Marshall, Nichols has also brought in Memphian Khalil Spencer, who is transferring from Tennessee State.

Rebel pitcher on national team

Ole Miss closer Dallas Woolfolk has a pretty nice summer lined up; the former DeSoto Central star has accepted an invitation to play for USA Baseball.

"It's such an honor to pitch for my country," Woolfolk said in a statement. "I am truly blessed and grateful to be given this tremendous opportunity."

This season, the sophomore tied a school record with 12 saves while appearing in a team-high 26 games. He compiled a 3-2 record with a 2.15 ERA, striking out 41 and walking only five in 37⅔ innings.

Woolfolk's fastball has been clocked in the 94-97 mph range and he's on the watch list for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award.

He is eighth Rebel to play for USA baseball joining — among others — major leaguers Lance Lynn (St. Louis), Zack Cozart (Cincinnati), Drew Pomeranz (Boston) and Bobby Wahl (Oakland).

Memphis-Coffeyville connection

Former Southwind offensive lineman Jonathan Timmons, who recently transferred from the University of Memphis, announced on Twitter this week that he would enroll at Coffeyville (Kan.) C.C.

"I want to thank Hutchinson C.C. for the opportunity presented," the 6-5, 320-pounder said. "But I am extremely excited that I am 100 percent committed to Coffeyville. Let's Get To Work!"

Timmons, who redshirted in his only season under Mike Norvell, joins a Red Ravens roster stacked with local talent. White Station offensive lineman Jalen Jones and wide receiver-defensive back Jeremy Farmer, Melrose athlete Kendric Jones, Whitehaven defensive back Deniro Tillman and Central linebacker Anthony Taylor signed with the team this spring.

Former White Station linebacker Eldridge Thompson signed with South Carolina in February after two standout seasons at Coffeyville.

Local players nominated

Cordova offensive lineman Jerome Carvin, Harding offensive lineman Will Lawrence and Southwind defensive end Jordan Davis are among 15 players from Tennessee who have been nominated to compete in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl presented by American Family Insurance.

Of the 400 players nominated, 100 will be selected to take part in the game, which will be played in January in San Antonio. Since its inception 18 years ago, the All-American Bowl has produced two Heisman Trophy winners, nine NFL Rookies of the Year, 82 first-round draft picks and 152 All-Americans.

Liberty Bowl event honors McCarver

Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher and Major League Baseball announcer Tim McCarver will be honored as part of the 23rd AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic, which takes place on June 26 at Ridgeway Country Club.

McCarver, a CBHS grad, will receive the Liberty Bowl's Distinguished Citizen Award at a banquet on June 25 at the Hilton Memphis that begins at 5:30 p.m. All proceeds from the event benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more information, contact the Liberty Bowl office at 901-795-7700 or call Pat Caldwell at 901-767-0851. Questions can also be e-mailed to pat@pcaldwell.com or to kevin.alexander@libertybowl.org.

Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com.