Hillsboro offensive coordinator Jamaal Stewart named East Nashville football coach

Jamaal Stewart grew up in East Nashville — it's home to him.

He played high school football at Stratford.

And after spending three years at Hillsboro as an assistant football coach, he'll be returning to his roots.

He has been named the next East Nashville football coach, replacing Brian Waite.

"It means more because of the location," said Stewart, who will have his first head coaching position. "I grew up there. I went to Stratford and at that time, East Nashville played with us. I know the community. It feels good to get back home.

"It's a community. I want to do things the right way."

Stewart, 31, went to Cumberland after graduating from Stratford and then went to Tennessee State. He started coaching football at 19 and was a defensive coordinator at 20.

He spent the past three seasons as Hillsboro's offensive coordinator.

Waite was fired after eight seasons and a 9-3 record in 2019. Waite had a 51-40 record at the school and was 19-5 over the past two years.

East Nashville principal Jamie Jenkins said the school received more than 30 applicants for the position.

"Coach Stewart stood out to our committee," Jenkins said. "Based on his interviews, references and comments from the selection committee, we believe he possesses the character, experience, football knowledge, connection to the East Nashville community and the leadership skills to head our football program."

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com or on Twitter @Kreager.