Alexander is in his first year at Tennessee Temple Academy. He will serve as the school’s sports information director. Mark is also an assistant coach for the varsity football and basketball teams, as well as the head coach for the boys elementary basketball team.
Alexander, 39, was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, where he lived until moving to Chattanooga in March, 2006. A 1991 graduate of Mississippi State University, Alexander was a sports writer for 15 years.
Most of that time was spent at The Clarion-Ledger newspaper in Jackson, Miss., where he covered numerous different sports on the high school, college and professional levels.
While working at The Clarion-Ledger, Alexander interviewed sports greats Jack Nicklaus, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and Steve McNair among others.
Alexander always had a burning desire to become a teacher and coach, and in March, 2006, he finally decided to resign from his job and pursue a new career.
He coached Middle School basketball at Silverdale Baptist Academy along with present Temple athletic director Caleb Marcum last year before his arrival at Temple.
Alexander lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Forest Hill High School. He played basketball on scholarship for one year at Belhaven College in Jackson before transferring to Mississippi State. He was a basketball manager for three years while at Mississippi State, and he also worked as intern in the sports information office.
Alexander moved to Chattanooga to be with his new wife, Leslie. He has two children, Ryan (11) and Landon (newborn) along with three stepchildren, Madison (12), Parker (11) and Reece (8).
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“I’m very humbled and excited about the opportunity I have been given to teach and coach at Tennessee Temple Academy,” Alexander said. “It’s a great school with a history of academic and athletic success. I’m looking forward to working alongside (headmaster) Dr. Pearson and (athletic director) Coach Marcum in my new position.”

Robert Hetrick is Tennessee Temple Academy’s new assistant boy’s basketball and head junior varsity coach.     Hetrick is originally from Chattanooga. His family relocated several times, and Hetrick spent time in Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, and most recently North Carolina.      Hetrick went to North Surry High School in Mount Airy, North Carolina. He lettered in both basketball and baseball. He was an All-Conference Honorable Mention winner and a two-year starter for coach Ken Phillips in basketball. During Hetrick’s senior year, the Greyhounds went 18-12 and lost in the third round of the state playoffs.     After high school, Hetrick returned to Chattanooga and attended Tennessee Temple University.  Hetrick graduated with a degree in Math Education in 2007. While at the University, Hetrick was a three-year letter winner in basketball and played for head coach Kevin Templeton.  Hetrick’s senior year he served as a student-assistant coach for Coach Templeton.  Hetrick’s sophomore year he won the Crusader Award.     Hetrick accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of 10. His parents led him to the Lord at his home in Virginia.  Hetrick has two brothers, David (20) and Blake (16). He is a UNC and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.     QUOTE:  “I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a teacher and coach here at Temple. We are looking forward to having a lot of fun and hopefully training young men to love and serve Jesus Christ.”

David Wiedenbenner is Tennessee Temple Academy’s new middle school boy’s basketball coach. He will also serve as an assistant coach for the varsity boy’s team.
Wiedenbenner was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he attended Tennessee Temple Academy since the first grade. He graduated in 2002. While at Temple he started for the 2002 Basketball State Championship Team, which went 34-3. He lettered in both basketball and Tennis for three years. David’s senior year he received Most Outstanding Player in Tennis and was Temple’s Male Athlete of the Year.
Wiedenbenner then attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Health & Exercise Science Pedagogy K-12, with his teaching license, in May 2007. He graduated with cum laude honors of a 3.6 GPA and was named Outstanding Senior in the concentration of Health & Exercise Science Pedagogy K-12.
While in college, David also coached Temple’s 8th grade boy’s basketball team in 2003 and 2004. In 2003, the Crusaders were ISC regular season runner-ups. And in 2004 they were ISC Tournament Champions.
Wiedenbenner is currently the Physical Education teacher at East Ridge Elementary.
He was saved at an early age, but always struggled with his decision until the age of 16 when he rededicated his life to the Lord and surrendered to do God’s will. In 2000, he was baptized at Westside Baptist Church in Rossville, Georgia. He is currently a member of Brainerd Baptist Church. He has gone on several mission trips including the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Mr. Rector brings experience and a wealth of knowledge to Tennessee Temple Academy’s staff.

     A former head women’s basketball coach at Tennessee Temple University for eight years, Rector is in his sixth season as assistant girl’s basketball coach at Tennessee Temple Academy.

     He doesn’t have to walk – or drive his golf cart – very far to get from his day job to Vance Gym. He is Director of Operations for the University and is also Director of Institutional Effectiveness.

     A 1990 graduate of Tennessee Temple University, Rector was the National Education Director for the American Association of Christian Schools for six years before returning to his alma mater.

     He works alongside his wife, Melita, who is the office manager. Their daughter, Danielle, is Temple Academy’s all-time leading scorer. She is in her first year at Mississippi State.

Shameca Gardner is Tennessee Temple Academy’s new varsity girl’s basketball coach.

      Originally from Nashville, she is a graduate of Tennessee Temple University. While at TTU, she was a 4-time All-American guard while averaging 28 points per game during her career.

     Gardner briefly played professional basketball overseas before returning to her alma mater where she served as a graduate assistant coach. She was an assistant coach at Tennessee Temple Academy a year ago before being elevated to head coach.

     While not coaching, Gardner can still usually be found in the gym. She teaches physical education at the Academy, and she still plays pickup basketball in her spare time.

     Gardner attends Highland Park Baptist Church.

     “We’re very fortunate to have Coach Gardner as our head coach,” Temple athletic director Caleb Marcum. “She was an outstanding player in college…she was WNBA material. She was that good. And she’s a good coach. If she can get her girls to play as half as good as she did, she’ll have a good team.”