Coach Mack Chandler was considered by many to be the “iron man” of high school basketball coaches. In his 31 years as a head coach of varsity boys and girls at Lobelville, Scotts Hill, Sardis and Parsons Riverside, Chandler was courtside for a total of 1,760 consecutive basketball games; a TSSAA record. Remarkably, he never missed a game during his career.
In addition to basketball, Coach Chandler served as a high school baseball coach for 25 years. Born in Perry County, Mack Chandler attended Austin Peay University on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1951. He then received his Master’s Degree from Memphis State University.
In addition to coaching, Mack Chandler served as Vice Principal and Principal before retiring in 1981. He came out of retirement to fill a vacant principal’s position at Sardis High School for another three years. Coach Mack Chandler, who passed away in May 1999, is survived by his wife Irene and their five children: Michael Chandler, Velda Creasy, Stella Pratt, Tracy Chandler and Carolyn Bradbury.