McCallie cross country Coach John Pataky is stepping down as head coach – a position he has held for 40 years.
Over those years, Mr. Pataky has guided the cross country team to seven MidSouth championships and numerous regional and district titles.
He will continue as a full-time math teacher on the McCallie faculty and has agreed to assist the cross country team as an assistant coach for the remainder of the year.
McCallie Athletic Director Bill Cherry said that John McCall, who has assisted Mr. Pataky for many years, has been named Interim Head Coach in charge of administrative matters, and varsity track Coach Mike Wood will serve as training coach for this year’s cross country Team. A permanent head coach will be named later, Mr. Cherry said.
"It will be difficult to replace someone of John Pataky’s caliber," said Mr. Cherry. "But to his credit, he left the team with top quality assistant coaches who can pick up where he left off." Mr. Pataky has agreed to assist coaching the cross country team this year on a part-time basis.
"Every fall John puts in countless hours in the cross country program, and I understand his desire after 40 years to want to spend more time with his family," Mr. Cherry said.
Mr. Pataky said his decision to step down as head coach was a difficult one. "I have loved doing this over the years, but I feel that it is best for me to take a break and spend more time with my wife. I still plan on being involved with the cross country team, especially with this year’s squad, some members of which I’ve coached for four years. But I will cut back on my hours, and I won’t be traveling with the team on long out-of-town trips."
In addition to coaching cross country for 40 years, Mr. Pataky served as head Swimming Coach for 14 years, leading his team to seven MidSouth and six State championships. He also served six years as head Track Coach. He has been recognized as the Chattanooga Coach of the Year in all three of those sports, and won the Scrappy Moore Award in Cross Country and Swimming. He also is an inductee in the Tennessee Swimming Hall of Fame.