Montario Hardesty, a former Tennessee football star, has been appointed as the head coach for James Lawson High School's football program, making him only the second coach in the school's history. His hiring comes after the resignation of Brian Lilly, following a challenging start for the program, which has a record of 10-23 since its debut. Hardesty has coaching experience with multiple schools, and as an alumnus, he aims to revitalize Lawson's football culture. He is expected to leverage his Tennessee roots and NFL experience to build the team's future. The program seeks to improve upon its less than stellar track record in its initial seasons.

By the Numbers
  • James Lawson's football record: 10 wins, 23 losses since opening.
  • Hardesty rushed for 2,391 yards and 26 touchdowns during his college career at Tennessee.
State of Play
  • James Lawson High School is Nashville's newest high school, having opened in 2023.
  • Hardesty is entering his second season coaching in Nashville, having previously served as offensive coordinator at Centennial.
What's Next

As Hardesty embarks on this new coaching role, he will focus on establishing a winning culture and enhancing the team's performance. Given his prior experience and knowledge of the local football landscape, expectations will be high for improvements in upcoming seasons. The community and school administration will be closely monitoring performance in the 2026 season.

Bottom Line

Hardesty's hiring marks a significant step for James Lawson as it attempts to transform its football program. With his strong ties to Tennessee football and coaching background, he presents a promising opportunity to foster growth and success in the team's upcoming chapters.