MTCS searching for football coach after Fred Shambaugh leaves for Texas job

Middle Tennessee Christian is searching for a new head football coach after Fred Shambaugh resigned this week.

Shambaugh, who guided the Cougars for six seasons, has taken a position in Texas at Dallas Christian.

"It was just a great opportunity for me and my family," said Shambaugh, of the new position. “I certainly appreciate all the (MTCS) players and coaches that allowed us to have some measure of success on the field."

B.J. Robertson, who served as the team's offensive coordinator in 2019, will be the Cougars' interim coach while the school searches for Shambaugh's replacement.

MTCS went 42-25 during Shambaugh's tenure. His first season with the Cougars in 2014 was the best when they went 9-2, falling 55-42 to Trousdale County in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs. He was named all-area football coach of the year that season.

“Our MTCS community will miss Coach Shambaugh and his family," MTCS secondary principal Robert Sain said. "He is a wonderful classroom teacher, a Christian example to our students, and he successfully led our football program through our transition into TSSAA Division II."

The Cougars reached the Division I playoffs twice (2014, 2016) under Shambaugh before moving to Division II in 2017.

“We thank Coach Shambaugh for his valued leadership on the field, in the classroom, and as a spiritual leader in our community, and we wish him and his family continued success in their future endeavors," said MTCS president Matt Tiller.  "While Coach Shambaugh will be greatly missed, we are confident God will provide the right individual to build on our current tradition of excellence and take MTCS Football to the next level.”

The 2019 MTCS squad went 4-7, falling in the first round of the DII-A playoffs. The team did boast the school's first Mr. Football in running back Kemari McGowan.

Shambaugh came to Murfreesboro via California, where he was both a head coach and assistant.

It has been an honor serving the families that make up the MTCS community," Shambaugh said. "I've always said the strength of MTCS is the amazing people it brings together.  My family will cherish those relationships forever.” 

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.