by Monte Hale, Jr.

Chandler Tygard resigned as Blackman's football coach Friday after two seasons to accept the head job at Cleveland High School.

Tygard went 15-8 in two seasons with the Blaze, including 10-3 in 2022. Blackman reached the quarterfinals of the TSSAA state playoffs before falling to eventual state champion Oakland 48-23.

"Today is bittersweet to leave a place that I truly love, people I care strongly about, the relationships our family has built with the so many people at Blackman," Tygard said. "I can't say how appreciative I am of the entire Blackman community and how great of a place this is to live and work."

Tygard says he's excited about the next chapter of his career.

"I am excited to become the first head of football operations for Cleveland City Schools and Cleveland High School's head football coach," he said. "Cleveland can offer unrivaled opportunities for their student athletes and coaches and has the community who deeply desires and deserves a successful football program.

"I am looking forward to taking our culture and style down to the Chattanooga area and see what can happen when a city school system is completely aligned to having a successful program."

Tygard replaced Kit Hartsfield as the Blaze's head coach in 2021 after Hartsfield resigned to take the Mt. Pleasant job.