Richie Chadwick serves Tullahoma City Schools (TCS) as a high school counselor and head coach for the Wildcats soccer team, a dual role he juggles effortlessly. As an avid soccer player, Chadwick attended Martin Methodist Junior College, where he received a soccer scholarship, before transferring to Cumberland University. Here, he earned a bachelor’s degree.
Chadwick completed the master’s program through Trevecca University in Nashville and has worked as a school counselor since 1997. During this time, Chadwick earned several degrees and certificates, including the director of coaching position. “I had a professor who saw my passion for coaching and working with youth, so he gave me the idea to pursue my hunger for sports.”
“Everybody has a story,” says Chadwick. “Everybody goes through trials and tribulations, and I’ve been able to impact my teams and students by showing them that. With sports and athletics, I can teach them how to adapt, adjust, and persevere. I also get to build lasting relationships.”
Chadwick said being involved in multiple sports motivates him. Growing up, he played basketball and baseball and thoroughly enjoyed water skiing, but soccer became his passion as a youth in Birmingham, Alabama. “You’re going to have challenges, so embrace those challenges,” said Chadwick. “You’ve got to work through situations and play the cards you’re dealt, no matter the circumstances. Don’t settle for crumbs. When you have an opportunity, take it.”
Coach Chadwick said coaching has run in his family for at least three generations. “My great-grandfather, William Dean Chadwick, was a coach and athletic director for Mississippi State around 1920.” His uncle was a track star, and Chadwick’s sons, Justus and Grant, have played football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. They were also involved in martial arts at one time. “It wasn’t a situation where I pushed soccer on the kids. Because they were like me, they’re very eclectic and play different sports. My wife, Cara, and I always had them try different sports.”
Taking his own advice and playing the cards life dealt him, Chadwick completed the 2022-2023 school year, securing first place for District 11-AA with a 4-0 win over Spring Hill. The Wildcats joined the district in 2018 and were ecstatic to bring home this championship, which bumped them up to compete in District 8-AA. Chadwick said brag moments include battling Page (the 2022 State Champions) to a tie and, for the first time in Wildcat history, beating Central Magnet with a score of 3-1. They also claimed the 1st Vision Bank Soccer Cup after pelting Coffee County with a score of 5-3. “Coach Chadwick has done an outstanding job for many years as the boys soccer coach and is now back to coaching the boys and the girls as he originally did back in the 1990s,” said John Olive, athletics director at TCS.
After tallying scores from last season, Chadwick said Chase Mattasits earned the title of District MVP and congratulated Luis Sarabia as Offense Attacking Player of the Year. GN
