Mark Alexander will wear many hats in his third year at Tennessee Temple Academy.
He will serve as the school's Athletic Director as well as head varsity boy's and girl's basketball coach and baseball coach.
     Alexander, 41, was the assistant athletic director at the Academy the past two years. He replaces Caleb Marcum, who is now the head basketball coach at St. Benedict at Auburndale.
     "I'm very thankful and excited about the opportunity to oversee the middle school and varsity sports here at Temple," Alexander said. "It will be a challenge, but one that I'm looking forward to."
     Alexander was named District 5A coach of the year last season after guiding the Lady Crusaders to a 17-13 record and a share of the District 5A regular season championship. He was also the lead assistant on the boy's team which advanced to the Class A state championship game.
     Alexander inherits a tradition-rich boy's program which owns three Class A state titles this decade.
      "Temple is known for basketball," Alexander said. "Hopefully we can carry on that tradition. It won't be easy because we lost a talent-laden senior class. But we've got some younger guys and some newcomers who we hope can help us rebuild."
     Alexander has taught various classes since arriving at Temple. He will teach Earth Science, Health and Physical Education this year.
     A 1991 graduate of Mississippi State University, Alexander was a sports writer for 15 years prior to transitioning into teaching/coaching. He was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, where he lived for 38 years until moving to Chattanooga in 2006.
     Alexander has two sons, Ryan (13) and Landon (2). He attends People's Baptist Church in Rossville, Ga.