Former Notre Dame Football Coach Charles Fant Joins the Staff at Boyd Buchanan
(press release) Chattanooga, TN – Boyd-Buchanan School has announced the hiring of Charles Fant as Assistant to the Head of School and assistant coach for the Buccaneers. “We are so excited and blessed to have Charles return home to Boyd-Buchanan School,” said Head of School Dr. Renee Murley. “He brings a wealth of experience to BBS and an opportunity to reconnect with alumni and current students. We cannot wait to see how God will use Charles in our BBS community.”
Fant returns to Boyd-Buchanan serving in a development and admissions role while providing student mentorship. His unique and charismatic approach to leadership and building relationships in the Chattanooga area with prospective families, BBS alumni, and students will greatly benefit Boyd-Buchanan in their continued capital campaign.
“We are ecstatic to have Charles Fant return to Boyd-Buchanan. He is a highly respected man of character in the educational and coaching profession. Charles is a great man of faith who will be a huge asset in providing mentorship and leadership opportunities for our school community and students,” said Director of Athletics Matt Pobieglo.
No stranger to Boyd-Buchanan, Fant served as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for their football program for ten seasons. During his tenure, Boyd-Buchanan teams made the TSSAA playoffs all ten seasons with one Semi-Final appearance, two State Finalists, and a State Championship in 2003. Fant would assist in the development of Matt Peardon who was the TSSAA “Mr. Football” winner in 2003 and assisted in twenty-one BBS football players receiving collegiate scholarships. From 2008-2010, Fant coached quarterbacks and secondary at Ringgold High School before being named head football coach at Notre Dame in 2012. He then became the all-time winningest football coach at Notre Dame (81 wins) and had over thirty athletes earn collegiate scholarships during his tenure. Currently, Fant serves as the Southeast Region vice president for the Tennessee Football Coaches Association.
Fant joins the Boyd-Buchanan athletic department, where he will have mentorship and coaching responsibilities. Head Football Coach Gary Rankin exclaimed, “My philosophy has always been to hire people better than me! Mission accomplished! I’m very excited and feel blessed to have Charles join our school. Not a homerun hire, but a grand slam.”
Fant is heavily involved within the Chattanooga community as the State Program Chair for the Distinguished Young Women’s program promoting and rewarding scholastics, leadership, and talent in young women. He and his wife Traci have assisted over 250 young women receive college scholarships to continue their education through the DYW program.
Fant, earned his B.A. in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University where he played quarterback, receiver, and special teams. He and his wife, Traci, have three sons: James Ryan, Samuel, and Solomon.
“I’m coming home! Boyd-Buchanan was the first place I learned to be a coach and mentor. Boyd has always been important and close to my heart. said Charles Fant, “I thank God for leading me home, where I can continue to serve and do the work God wants me to do.”
