Union City names Wade Maddox new head football coach
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
UNION CITY, Tenn., (KBSI) — Union City High School is turning to a familiar face to lead its football program in a new direction.
Wade Maddox, a longtime coach with multiple championship credentials across several sports, has been named the new head football coach for the Tornadoes.
Maddox, who previously served as defensive coordinator for three Union City state championship teams, replaces Nick Markle, who resigned Thursday after six seasons at the helm.
Markle compiled a 45–26 record during his tenure, leading the Tornadoes to three consecutive state quarterfinal appearances and two 10-win seasons.
This year, however, Union City finished 3–7 in an injury-plagued season — the program’s first without a playoff berth since 2004.
In addition to his success in football, Maddox has revitalized Union City’s track and field program, guiding the boys’ team to a Class 1A state championship in 2025 following a runner-up finish in 2024. The girls’ team has also posted three top 10 state finishes under his leadership.
Maddox previously led the Lady Tornado softball team to its first-ever state tournament appearance in 2015, notching the two winningest seasons in program history.
“Coach Maddox has a proven record in every sport he’s been involved with at our school,” said Union City Principal and Athletic Director Jacob Cross.
“He’s a tireless worker and gets the best out of his student-athletes. We believe he’s the right person to take us in a different direction with our football program.”
Maddox will continue serving as head coach of the boys’ and girls’ track teams and maintain some assistant athletic director duties.
“I’m going to bring a lot of energy and encouragement to our kids,” Maddox said. “Our championship teams have always been built on grinders.
We may not be the most talented, but we’ve always been willing to outwork everyone else. That’s what I want us to be again — disciplined, accountable, and willing to do what it takes to win.”
Maddox plans to assemble his coaching staff and begin preparations for the offseason in the coming weeks.
