Mack Chandler, born on January 25, 1930, dedicated over three decades of his life to teaching, coaching, and serving in administrative roles in various high schools across Tennessee. A remarkable career in education and athletics led to his posthumous induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2001, a testament to his vast contributions and lasting impact on high school sports within the state.

His journey in the realm of high school athletics commenced in 1951 at Lobelville High School, and over the years, Chandler made significant strides in developing and nurturing talent across different sports. By 1953, Chandler had moved to Scotts Hill High School, where he coached both girls' and boys' basketball teams until 1957. His coaching prowess was not limited to basketball alone; at Decatur County Riverside High School between 1967 and 1981, Chandler expanded his coaching repertoire to include baseball alongside girls' and boys' basketball. Notably, his girls' basketball team achieved an impressive 32-7 record and advanced to the TSSAA State Basketball Tournament Semi-finals in 1973.

Beyond his coaching responsibilities, Chandler also excelled in administrative roles, serving as a principal at Sardis High School from 1957 to 1967 and again from 1981 to 1984 before transitioning to an assistant principal position at Scotts Hill High School, where he remained until 1995.

Chandler's dedication to high school sports extended beyond the basketball court and baseball diamond. He played a pivotal role in the formation of the Dixie Majors baseball league in 1971, catering to young athletes aged 18-21, and was instrumental in fostering a thriving environment for youth sports within Tennessee. His legacy was further cemented when the Sardis community named their baseball field "The Mack Chandler Field" in 1998, celebrating his contributions with a dedicated "Mack Chandler Day".

Through his illustrious career spanning several decades, coaching a total of 1,760 varsity basketball games, and his active involvement in developing athletic programs, Mack Chandler's induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2001 was a fitting accolade for a man who devoted his life to the betterment of high school sports in Tennessee.

TSSAA Hall of Fame
Class: 2001
Category: Coach