CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Academy has announced Tyler Hickman as their new boy’s basketball coach and Chief Financial Officer.
The Memphis native will take over at CA after spending one season as head coach of the boy’s basketball program at Centennial.
In his lone year as head coach, Hickman helped guide his team to a 16-12 record which featured a 65-58 win over the District 10-AAA champion Northeast Eagles.
“I think it’s just one of those things where you kind of see another opportunity that’s there,” Hickman said. “Obviously my background in accounting played a major role in becoming CFO as well. I loved Centennial and still have players there that I care for. It wasn’t an easy decision by any means, but at the same time my wife and I prayed about it and just felt like it was right.”
As CFO, Hickman’s job description is to focus on planning and budgeting for the school while also overseeing dining services, maintenance and transportation.
“First of all, I grew up going to a D-II school so I’m very familiar with the D-II world and how things work,” Hickman said. “That was an attractive piece to me. The CFO will be in control of financial plans, have more responsibility in terms of outside of the classroom and really deal with major decisions.”
Hickman has spent seven years coaching at both the intermediate and varsity basketball levels, including a stop at Battle Ground Academy (BGA) as an assistant where he served under Pete Froedden for three seasons.
“Those previous experiences taught me a lot about relationships,” Hickman said. “I think they’re the most important thing when it comes to building your program and trying to create a strong culture. I think at the end of the day, you just have to care about your kids. If they know that, then you’re going to have a chance to succeed.”
Moving forward, Clarksville Academy will look to fill the void left by standout forward Daniel Loos who is taking his talents to Christian Brothers after an illustrious career as a Cougar. Hickman knows replacing the lost production won’t be an easy task.
“Obviously you’d love to have a Daniel Loos, but that’s just part of it,” Hickman said. “Players come and go that’s why building those life-long relationships are so important. It’s about really trying to inspire that next group to want to play for you and be a part of your program.
“I like to play a fast pace, motion-style game. I never really focused on one specific player and that’s no knock because when you have a Daniel Loos, you should have some of that. I just believe in really sharing the ball and playing together. We’ll tailor our offense to fit our personnel, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be the case all of the time.”
Hickman hasn’t yet arrived to Clarksville in a full-time capacity, but he does understand the breeding ground for basketball talent that the town has to offer.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Hickman said. “Austin Peay has obviously done a really good job the past couple years with their basketball and football programs, so that’s an enticing part of the city as well…We’re trying to get there as soon as we can and then make it home for as long as we’re called to be there.”