Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director of Operations
- Email:
- Phone:
- 266-5727
Gardner, a former graduate assistant for the Lady Eagles, rejoins McNelis' staff in 2021 as the Director of Operations, after spending the past six years as the head coach of Forrest County Agricultural High School in Brooklyn. During his tenure, the Aggies captured a pair of region championships, while qualifying for the MHSAA playoffs four times and was named as a MHSAA Scholar-Athlete team during all six years of Gardner's tenure.
Gardner was selected to coach in the 2019 MHSAA North/South All Star game, where he coached current Lady Eagles Brikayla Gray and Melyia Grayson. The Lexington, Tenn., native got his start in coaching at UT Martin as a student assistant for the Skyhawks, while also spending three years as the head coach at Brookhaven Academy, where he led the Cougars to a MAIS Semifinal appearance.
"We welcome Coach Mack Gardner back to the Lady Eagle Basketball Program," McNelis added. "Mack grew up in the gym with his dad, Tim Gardner, a successful high school coach in west Tennessee. His knowledge and love for the game runs deep within him due to growing up on the court. He is a student of the game.
"After being a high school coach, he has an insight to helping today's student-athlete be successful in all walks of life. I am excited to have Mack and his wife Kelly join our Lady Eagle program. Mack will be an asset to us in many ways. He knows me and understands what I expect from my staff in going the extra mile to help make our Lady Eagles live their dreams."
