CLEVELAND, Tenn. — For the fourth time this year a Bradley County prep sports program has a new head coach.
In the second such move this summer, Bradley Central has had a change in leadership with the retirement of longtime head soccer coach Miguel Armenta retiring, opening the door for his assistant coach Dr. Ted Lackey to take over the reins.
It is a déjà vu for Lackey, who did the same a little over a year ago, assuming the top role with the soccer Bearettes, after the retirement of Coach Savannah Edwards.
In June, Bradley had a changeover with the Bearette softball program as four-year head coach Hallie Geren stepped aside and former Walker Valley multi-sport assistant coach Caden Ricketts became the head coach.
With the retirement of head boys soccer coach Miguel Armenta, BCHS principal Patrick Spangler has announced Bearette head coach Dr. Ted Lackey will take over the Bear program he has served as an assist coach for the past seven seasons.
The other head coaching changes this summer have come at Cleveland High, where three-year assistant LeeAnne Shurette takes the mantle from the retiring KJ Harris in May, and former Lee University standout Abby Stroh was named to replace longtime Walker Valley volleyball coach Aubrey Reagan in April.
A seven-year assistant coach with the Bears, Lackey the Bearettes to a District 6-4A runner-up finish last season and their first appearance in the Region 3 Tournament appearance since 2018.
“I could not be more excited to step in and serve as head coach of the Bears soccer team," Lackey expressed in a press release by the school Monday.
"I am committed to the growth and development of our boys as both students and athletes as well as raising the expectations of our program from year to year.
"I would like to thank Coach Armenta, Coach Le Cea, and Coach Harrell for their support and advice throughout my coaching career at Bradley. If it were not for their help and guidance I would not be the coach I am today," he continued.
"I would also like to thank (BCHS principal) Mr. Patrick Spangler, (BCHS AD) Coach Turner Jackson, (Bradley County Director of Schools) Dr. Linda Cash, and Bradley Central High School for providing me with the opportunity and privilege of leading our soccer programs.
"Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Meryn, and our three children for always being in the stands at every game and continuing to support and encourage me in my career as a soccer coach," Lackey concluded.
He is also involved with the Cleveland Futbol Club (CFC) Flames and currently serves as a board member for the Greater Cleveland Soccer Association (GRCSA).
Armenta began his productive high school soccer career in 2001 at Bradley Central, as a four-year starter for the Bears, becoming one of the program's top scorers.
Armenta returned to his alma mater in 2010 to be a full-time Spanish teacher and serve as the assistant coach for the Bears soccer team. After three years as an assistant, he took on the responsibility as head coach for a decade (2014-24).
"Bradley soccer has played an important role in my life as a player, coach, and teacher. It has truly been a blessing to have been a part of this program for so many years," remarked Armenta, also thanking the BCHS administration and Dr. Cash "for the opportunity to have coached the Bears soccer team over the past 13 years."
"I would like to thank my wife and family for their continued support throughout my time as a coach and now look forward to spending more time with them and focusing on my kids' soccer careers," he related.
"Bradley Central soccer will always have a special place in my heart and I look forward to continuing teaching Spanish at both Bradley Central and Bradley County Virtual School.”