Micah Grenz and Stone Memorial High School have parted ways as far as Grenz remaining on as the boys soccer coach for the 2027 season.
Grenz, who teaches special education in the Cumberland County School System, said he was visited by SMHS Athletic Director Nathan Brown last week and told of the decision.
“It was not my decision,” said Grenz, who will stay on as teacher. “Very few of my questions were answered. The only thing I was told is that I had checked out this year, which I hadn’t.
“I would say our entire coaching staff did more coaching this year than we had in the last two years because of the students we were working with this year.”
Attempts to reach Brown for comment were not returned.
According to maxpreps.com, Stone Memorial finished 15-5 in 2025 with a roster laden with upperclassmen, many of whom played other sports in addition to soccer. SMHS was 0-17 in 2026.
In 2026, Stone entered the season without eight expected starters who chose not to play. The Panthers played most of this past year with seven freshmen on the field at any given time.
“Then I was told they wanted a different culture for the soccer team,” Grenz said. “
A petition to try and get Grenz reinstated as coach has been circulating around the community. It is being initiated by Desmond Bracero, who served as assistant coach to Grenz for the past three years.
“I know Micah has poured a lot of time and effort into building this program in the last three years, and he had already looked into the future and how we can do better as a coaching staff for the next season,” said Bracero. “I mean, he was completely invested in this, and I felt very compelled in trying to convey that to the administration through this petition.”
Bracero said he has close to 100 signatures on the petition so far. He said if anyone would like to sign the petition to contact him directly.
The petition reads that the undersigned parents, players, alumni and supporters of the Stone soccer program respectfully request school administration reconsider the decision to remove Grenz and delay the hiring of a replacement.
Grenz said he’s been pleased with the progress the program has made under his guidance.
He said his teams have improved academically, the program has been able to generate more money, they’ve had a track record of developing players, and they have no discipline issues.
The position is currently being advertised and applications are being taken. The advertisement says playing experience and coaching experience is preferred. All applicants should contact Brown at nbrown@ccschools.k12tn.net.
“Ultimately, the decision’s left with the administration as to what they want to do,” Bracero said. “If they choose not to bring him back, I can say that I did everything that I knew possible to try and facilitate his coming back.
“At the least, Micah will be able to see that there is a community of people that stood behind what he believed in, what he was trying to do with the program, and for not just the high school, but at the middle school level as well,”
Grenz said, although he is not counting out coaching again in the future, he’s in no hurry to jump into anything.
Scott Wilson may be reached at swilson@crossville-chronicle.com