East Nashville's Jamaal Stewart named Centennial football coach after back-to-back state runnerup finishes

Jamaal Stewart grew up in East Nashville, playing high school football at Stratford.

He later took his first high school football head coaching job at East Nashville High and led it to its two best high school seasons in state history.

His next stop? Williamson County and specifically, Centennial High, where Stewart becomes the next Cougars coach.

Centennial principal Kevin Dyson announced Stewart on Thursday as the school's next football coach, replacing Matt Kriesky. Kriesky announced his resignation to accept the same position at Blackman High a month ago.

"I've had other people call my phone about other jobs," Stewart said. "But when (Centennial) called and come in for an interview, I just had this feeling when I pulled up to the school. I don't know what it was. But I just had this feeling that I hadn't had at any school that had asked me to interview.

"I felt at home, even from the people at the front desk, who would laugh and joke with me for five minutes — and they didn't even know me and I didn't know them."

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They soon will.

Stewart has built a quick resume of success in a short amount of time. Stewart led East Nashville to Class 3A back-to-back state runner-up finishes, losing to Alcoa both seasons. He went 27-11 in three seasons at the Metro Nashville Public School, including 12-3 this past year.

"Coach Stewart exemplifies everything we want CHS to be about," said Dyson, a former Tennessee Titan, in a statement. "He obviously has done well as a football coach by leading East to two consecutive TSSAA 3A championship games, but more importantly he is also committed to the development of all students by engaging in their academics, character development and community involvement."

Stewarts said this was an opportunity to work in a football-crazed area in Williamson County. It was something he did not want to pass up.

"I just feel like this is a good opportunity to be in a county that loves football all the way around," Stewart said. "Everybody loves football down there. I just feel it's an opportunity to challenge myself as a coach again.

"I'm not saying I'm not being challenged now, but Williamson County is a higher level of football right now. I'd like to challenge myself."

Centennial finished 8-3 last season with a Class 6A first-round playoff loss at Bartlett. The Cougars had their best season in Class 6A and was in position to win the region entering the final week of the regular season before finishing fourth.

The Cougars dropped to Class 5A in 2023 and will compete in Region 6-5A along with Glencliff, Hillsboro, first-year James Lawson, Nolensville and Page. Page has finished Class 5A state runner-up the past two seasons.

"I just feel like right now was the time for me to try something different," Stewart said. "Williamson County Schools is the challenge I need. It's a better situation for my (two) girls and my family."

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.