THE LABORATORY was lit with progress. It was like an energetic spark had permeated the room. Riley Darden, a skilled laboratory consultant, carefully arranged rows of colorful test tubes on a rack. Each vial held a sample, representing tiny puzzle pieces waiting to be solved. However, unlike the intricate pieces of furniture he crafted in his woodshop right inside the lab, the solutions held the potential to revolutionize health care. His brow furrowed in concentration, a scientist at work, yet a hint of a familiar play strategy lingered in his mind — the strategic mind of a coach never sleeps entirely. This was Riley Darden, a man carving his path in woodworking, coaching, and the future of medicine, and his story was just beginning to unfold.
Darden is a true Renaissance man who excels as a woodworker, a laboratory consultant revolutionizing health care, and a sports analyst on 93.8 The Duck (WDUC) with a knack for explaining football, softball, and baseball, and even a college football coach. What’s the secret to his success? His immense loyalty to the community and the mindset that every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the world. His philosophy of going the extra mile to understand others is a constant thread throughout his life.
He said, “I’ve never wanted to do anything but follow my dreams and help other people. Helping other people really fills my cup.”
After finishing his last semester at Tennessee Tech University, where he played football, Darden took a gap semester before attending Cumberland University and signed a contract to use his crafting expertise, creating custom Tennessee state outlines out of wood with Jack Daniels. His woodworking passion project, inspired by his grandfather, Ray Darden, and his great uncle, blossomed into a successful business.
“My grandfather, Ray Darden, and my great uncle taught me how to build my first Adirondack chair back in 2017. So I fell in love with woodwork from that day forward.”
Darden finds immense satisfaction in creating beautiful pieces and connecting with his customers. It’s a creative outlet that allows him to express himself while connecting with the community on a deeper level.
However, Darden’s inclination to help others took a more profound turn in 2019. Watching his beloved grandmother struggle with a misdiagnosed illness due to inaccurate culture testing motivated him to makea change. He partnered with Kirk Writtenberry, a lab consultant he met through woodworking, aiming to bring the most accurate and efficient medical testing to Tullahoma.
Their solution, introduced by Taylor Bright and Dr. Gibbs, led them to a groundbreaking mouthwash toxicology test, Quiksal — one of the first to be introduced to Tennessee. This innovative test eliminates the need for uncomfortable procedures and provides faster, more accurate results.
“Taylor Bright and Dr. Gibbs out of Kentucky created Quiksal to better service clinics from a collection and accuracy standpoint and for faster turnaround time as well. It will also help communities by decreasing drug addiction,” he said. “This Quiksal toxicology exam has been an eye-opener for me. Anyone can go and do whatever they want to. They just have to believe it and then create a plan to make it come true.”
Even with his role as a lab consultant and his woodworking business, he still finds time to share his love for football as a coach at Cumberland University, where he coaches wide receivers. Despite his busy schedule, Darden finds coaching incredibly rewarding. But more importantly, he sees it as an opportunity to mentor young athletes and instill the same values he learned on the field.
“I’m finally able to spread my wings and bring even more creativity to the wide receiver position that I love so much,” he expressed.
Balancing all these pursuits requires meticulous planning and a strong work ethic. Darden keeps a detailed calendar and leans on the support of his family — including his dad, who helps with the woodworking business — and fellow sports commentators like Will Rabb. He maintains a positive outlook and encourages people to pursue their dreams and put all their efforts into what they are passionate about.
“Don’t be stuck in your safe zone,” he advised. “You have to wake up every single day to change someone else’s life, and not just your own. Find things that you care about that will allow you to change another person’s life.”
Darden is a phenomenal example of an individual driven by purpose. From the intricate details of his woodworking to the cutting-edge science of Quiksal, Darden is a true gem, leaving his mark on the community.
“I don’t aspire to drive a brand new car or live in a big, fancy house. I simply aspire to comfort my family and those around me.”
Darden would like to thank God, his family (his parents Tommy and Cam Darden, and his sister Tabitha Sehorne), Kirk Rittenberry, Will Rabb, Taylor Bright, Dr. Gibbs, Coach Mathis, Dr. Drummond, and Dr. George Walker for their support and guidance as he continues to live out his dreams and serve the community with compassion. GN
