St. Benedict at Auburndale High School announced today the appointment of Caleb Marcum of Arlington, TN  as Athletic Director and Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach. In his new role, he will step down as the Dean of Students as well as the Boys Varsity Head Coach.

Coach Caleb Marcum completed his fifth year as Head Boys Basketball Coach at St. Benedict this season. He guided the St. Benedict Basketball team to many successful seasons including a regular season first place finish in 2011. Coach Marcum had the opportunity to work closely with the girls team last year in practice and is excited for the future of the program. He has successfully built a summer camp tradition with NBA instruction, started the intramural basketball program known as the Talon League and has served as Interim Dean of Students while at SBA. His teams have been awarded the TSSAA Distinguished Academic Achievement Award all five years while at SBA.

Coach Marcum came to SBA from Chattanooga, TN where he served as Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach at Tennessee Temple Academy from 2007-2009. In his first season as head coach, Coach Marcum directed his team to winning the District 5A and Region 3A basketball championships. Tennessee Temple went on to the State Tournament in Murfreesboro where Temple was defeated by eventual champion Union City by only four points in the quarter- finals, and Mr. Basketball and UT Martin signee M.J. Brown. In his second stint as head coach, Coach Marcum led Tennessee Temple to a state-runner-up finish where they were defeated by Manassas and Mr. Basketball and Ole Miss signee Reginald Buckner. In two years, Coach Marcum compiled a record of 57-15 and was awarded District 5A Coach of the Year in 2008, while also coaching a Mr. Basketball finalist and Charleston Southern signee in Jeremy Sexton.

Coach Marcum played collegiately at the NAIA/NCCAA level at Tennessee Temple University. In 2003, Coach Marcum helped lead his team to 30-4 record and eventual NCCAA National Championship in Franklin, Kentucky. On that National championship team, he received the Lefty Award for best defensive player. He also played four years of college baseball where he collected All-Region honors in 2002. Coach Marcum is married to Kara Marcum and they have three children Jade (14), Brody (5), and Bryce (3).

“I am extremely excited to see what the future holds at St. Benedict. I am dedicated to winning and helping to develop the SBA athletic program as one of the best in the country. With the caliber of coaches and support from our administration, SBA has the potential of doing great things in the sports arena. It is an honor to serve SBA and help grow its athletic program,” he said at today’s announcement.

Coach Marcum met with the returning members of both the girls and boys programs and will host a girls team parent meeting very soon. In making the announcement, Principal Sondra Morris said, “Please join me in welcoming Coach Marcum as he continues to serve SBA in these capacities. His experience and dedication to working with young student/athletes is notable. He displays a superior work ethic and is respected by coaches and students alike. We are fortunate that he has accepted these positions.”

Morris continued, “We also want to thank Steve Winnette for his service to SBA this year as our Interim Athletic Director. Steve stepped in and provided the leadership and guidance we needed. He is a true friend of SBA.”

A search for a Head Boys Basketball Coach will begin immediately.