Brentwood Academy hires Madison Academy's Andy Blackston as new boys basketball coach

Joseph Spears, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Brentwood Academy has its new boys basketball coach.

The school sent out an email to parents Thursday announcing its hiring of Andy Blackston. Blackston had been the coach at Madison Academy in Huntsville, Alabama, since 2006.

Brentwood Academy and former coach Matt Hoppe parted ways in late March after back-to-back final four appearances.

“Andy’s accomplishments as a coach are exemplary," Brentwood Academy Athletic Director Cody White said in a school release. "We are honored to add the leadership and experience of this highly admired man to our Brentwood Academy coaching staff and boys’ basketball team. Andy and his family are a great fit for our school’s mission, and we look forward to seeing him add to our rich basketball heritage at Brentwood Academy.”

A Clarksville native, Blackston went to Lipscomb University where he played basketball from 1993-98. He then spent two seasons at Austin Peay as a graduate assistant before three seasons as an assistant coach at The University of Alabama Huntsville.

Blackston received his first head coaching job at Alabama Huntsville when he oversaw the women's team from 2001-03. He then coached the women's team at Austin Peay from 2003-06.

Madison Academy saw plenty of success during Blackston's tenure. The Mustangs won five state championships and made it to the state final four six other times.

Blackston serves as Madison Academy's Spiritual Life Director and Bible teacher and will serve as a middle school geography teach at Brentwood Academy.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to connect with the mission of BA to nurture and challenge students to the glory of God," Blackston said in the release. "The BA boys’ basketball program has a tradition of excellence in winning state championships and giving young men and women opportunities to pursue playing at the next level. I look forward to getting to work soon and meeting the players, parents, and staff that make BA one of the premier schools in the South."

Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com or 731-343-4923. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Brentwood Academy basketball names Andy Blackston as Eagles new coach