CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Northeast High School offensive line coach Michael Treadwell is entering his first year as a football coach after a five-year playing career at Austin Peay. The Powell High School product wasn’t even planning on coaching this year, but a text from Deonte Weston changed that quickly, and Treadwell is loving being a coach more than he could have ever expected.
Treadwell hails from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he grew up around the game of football. He was an all-region selection all four years of his high school playing career, while being named an all-state selection at Powell High School during his senior season.
Treadwell then started his career at Austin Peay in the fall of 2020 as a preferred walk-on, who went on to play at Austin Peay for the next five years. Through hard work and determination, he ultimately earned a scholarship in the fall of 2024.
“I always believed that I could play at a Division-I School,” said Treadwell. “I saw guys get put on scholarship every year I was there, and I knew I needed to work harder to achieve that. I’ll never forget that moment when I heard I was on scholarship; it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. That was a special moment for me.”
Along with his abilities on the field and a killer Stone-Cold Steve Austin impression, Treadwell always knew he wanted to end up being a coach. After his playing days were done, he took a job at West Creek Elementary School, teaching special education students. He had planned to take a year away from football this fall, however, when Northeast head coach Deonte Weston reached out to him, that all changed. Treadwell quickly realized he couldn’t stay away from the game long.
“I knew deep down I always wanted to be a coach, but I initially told myself I was just going to teach this year,” said Treadwell. “When Weston reached out to me, that opened my eyes to how much I missed the game after such a short time, and I knew I had to go coach for that team. Him having faith in me meant the world, and I’m grateful to learn from Coach Weston, Coach Maxwell and all the coaches on this staff.”
No one’s happier that Treadwell made the jump to coaching more than Weston. For him, it’s about bringing Treadwell’s passion and energy for the game and instilling it into his athletes. Specifically, the student-athletes in the trenches.
“Coach Treadwell has been a tremendous addition to our staff,” said Weston. “A recent Division-I player, he brings firsthand experience from high-level college football and translates that knowledge effectively to our athletes. His energy, work ethic, and passion for the game were clear from day one, especially in his desire to positively impact young men. Treadwell has shown a strong commitment to growth, particularly in his work with the offensive line, where his influence has already been felt. I have no doubt he has the tools to become a successful offensive coordinator in the near future.”
While Treadwell admits he wishes he could strap up the pads again, he found something in coaching he never thought he would find. In just the beginning of his coaching career, Treadwell says that he already has joy from teaching his players and seeing them grow into young men.
“I love coaching more than I ever loved playing, and I never thought I would say that,” said Treadwell. “It’s one thing for me as a player to understand something, but it’s so much more when you see a kid start to learn and grow. In football, you’re developing character, and watching these kids grow over time, it’s a heartwarming feeling. It’s been a short time, but I’m in it for the long run.”
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