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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cTrack was just something that stuck with me and something that I really loved,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The community of Tullahoma propelled him closer to his dreams. The support and recognition he received from locals further drove him to unlock his athletic potential. This uplifting environment shaped his character and defined his track and field career. He knew he wasn\u2019t just competing for himself but for the entire community that had his back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potts-Howard\u2019s transition to collegiate athletics required a shift in focus. At Carson-Newman University, he concentrated on the long jump due to hip problems that halted his triple jump career. Nonetheless, his hard work and dedication to improving his athletic abilities earned him All-American honors. His collegiate experience at Carson-Newman was transformative athletically and personally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCarson-Newman has a very big family atmosphere, which is a key reason I stayed for four years. My love for my teammates and coaches kept me there,\u201d Potts-Howard said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflecting on his inspirations and mentors, he credits his father and grandfather as influential figures in his life. His grandfather\u2019s passing during his sophomore year of high school was a devastating yet pivotal moment, driving him to persevere and dedicate his achievements to his memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt that time, I had a lot of people [who] were always telling me, \u2018You can give up and quit what you\u2019re doing, or you can really persevere and push through, and this can be a new chapter in your life.\u2019 And I really wasn\u2019t complacent with being average. I never have been and probably never will be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professional athletes like Christian Taylor also influenced his triple jump, and legendary coach Vince Anderson, who had coached his father, provided substantial guidance during his early years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potts-Howard\u2019s unexpected venture into coaching began at his alma mater, Carson-Newman. Despite initial reluctance, he found great satisfaction in guiding and mentoring young athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to coach at first, but I get more joy from coaching than from competing. Being able to impact athletes, especially at an institution where I had been, was a blessing,\u201d he reflected. His coaching philosophy is centered around mental strength and discipline. Transitioning to a coaching role at a Division 1 university, Potts-Howard emphasizes the importance of being meticulous and disciplined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be locked into what you\u2019re doing. At the Division 1 level, you can\u2019t afford to slack. Discipline is key,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potts-Howard aspires to reach even greater heights in his coaching career. His ultimate dream is to coach at the University of Tennessee, where his father\u2019s legacy began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs a legacy child, I would love to coach at Tennessee. It\u2019s a dream goal of mine,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potts-Howard has had a strong support system throughout his career, including his girlfriend, Samantha, who has been instrumental during his coaching transitions. This support, his relentless drive, and the lessons he learned from his mentors, has positioned him for continuous success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potts-Howard\u2019s path from a small town to the brink of coaching at the highest levels of collegiate athletics is a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes and coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo matter where you are, there are people out there who want to help you achieve your goals. You can do whatever you set your mind to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potts-Howard\u2019s story is a compelling reminder that we can achieve anything with discipline, focus, and the right support system. And his journey, like those of many other community champions, is far from over. GN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE CLAMOR of the crowd at Tom Black Track filled the air as a small boy, barely 4 years old, was hoisted high above the grounds by his father. Giant shadows stretched from the packed bleachers, engulfing the legendary track field where legends were made, and this moment epitomized the ongoing tradition of athletic greatness. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":22706,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/08\/1-1024x683.png\")
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