Coach Tab McNabb, graduating senior Sarah Maleak and Assistant Coach Paige Lowe from senior night 2025
St. Andrew's - Sewanee School wants to honor Coach Tab McNabb is stepping down as the girls basketball coach at St. Andrew's-Sewanee.
He said, "I would love to continue coaching the SAS girls, a group that has become one of my favorites to work with. However, with my teaching position at South Pittsburg High School, it presents a challenging situation. Nevertheless, the opportunity to work with these talented young athletes remains a priority for me if I see a chance for that in whatever capacity."
St. Andrew's - Sewanee officials said, "We wamt tp thank Coach McNabb for his time and service to our girl's basketball team. He was an intrical part in rebuilding the program after the COVID crisis left the team with only five players. His positive attitude and skill development led to a growth in players and the way the game was played."
Director of Athletics Rob Zeitler said, "Coach McNabb is one of the most positive and encouraging coaches I have been around. It did not take him long to get the team playing really hard each night and I know to a person, they love playing for Coach McNabb. It is Coach McNabb's ability to instill life lessons into his daily coaching that has left a lasting impact on each girl."
School officials said, "His influences led to the growth of the team to 12 players in 24-25 which included an 8th grade point guard, a 9th grade forward and led by a sophomore small forward, junior center with one senior guard. The parents, players and staff want to say thank you to Coach McNabb and wish him well in his future work with his family and time spent with his wife, Sarah and son, Hatch, who is a graduating senior here at SAS."
When asked about his approach, McNabb was quick to credit the incredible background his family has in the game of basketball and their influence on him. "Basketball has been a significant part of my life, largely due to my family's deep-rooted connections to the sport. My father was a four-year starter at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and served as the boys' varsity basketball coach at Cleveland High School during my early years. His influence has been instrumental in shaping my love for the game.
"Coaching runs in my family. My uncle, Bobby McNabb, played at Alabama and later coached at Panama City High School. Another uncle, Ed Coates, enjoyed a successful playing career at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and became the basketball coach at Tusculum University. Additionally, my aunt Sylvia, my mother's sister, played for Coach Smiddy at Bradley Central and has earned recognition in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame for her scoring achievements. My dad's cousin, Jim Davis, also made his mark as the women’s head coach at Clemson, further emphasizing our family's legacy in basketball.
"In the mid-1970s, my father accepted a coaching position in Florida and returned to the state to coach at Marion County High School. There, he took on the challenge of starting a program that ultimately evolved into what is now known as the Junior Pro league. During a time when Jasper, Tennessee, was primarily focused on football, my father fostered friendships with fellow basketball coaches like Tommy Layne of Whitwell and Sam Brooks of South Pittsburg. This camaraderie created a supportive network among coaches during their time in the Sequatchie Valley Conference. They worked together running camps, tournaments, and leagues to help grow the sport in this community. Other coaches like Ken Storey and Joe Galloway were part of this influential group, all of whom have played a significant role in shaping my coaching philosophy.