Ensights Magazine

alumni coaches

What They Learned and Why They Came Back: Alumni Athlete Coaches

Michelle Andrade, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications
The mark of a good school is when you see alumni return to give back, which is exactly what we see at Ensworth in the Middle School athletics programs.
Founded on the principles of excellence, Ensworth’s athletic programs and training are inarguably top-notch, but Ensworth Athletics goes beyond producing and cultivating talented athletes. Ensworth hopes to send scholarly, conscious, thoughtful, strong, and curious students into the world to continue to “use their talents to the fullest, to be people of integrity, and to be contributors to society.” 
 
PJ Settles
“Football played a tremendous role in my development as a student, athlete, and leader. The program allowed me to be a winner and understand discipline and cohesion.” 
 - P.J. Settles ’15
 (Rhodes College football alumnus)
 
Our alumni coaches shared the tremendous impact athletics had on them as students at Ensworth. Donovan Sheffield ’15 says, “Being an Ensworth football player from 2011-2015 made me feel like we a part of something bigger than myself. We had laser focus on the daily work needed to be successful and didn’t worry about the end results.” 
 
Nantambu Fentress
“Football taught me discipline, resilience, and how to defy the odds.” 
- Nantambu (Bu) Fentress ’11 
(University of Miami football alumnus)
 
Passion for the game, knowledge of skills, dedication to the team, and accountability are what makes a great coach. The athletic program positively formed our alumni coaches as students, and now they want to impart the wisdom and tenacity they learned to current student-athletes. Coach P.J. Settles ’15 recalls, “I had such a positive experience playing football at Ensworth (and beyond), so I want to share the knowledge and love I have of the game with those who will carry on the legacy.” 
 
Donovan Sheffield
“I enjoy being able to preserve the culture of Ensworth Football by sharing my knowledge and experiences with the kids.”  
- Donovan Sheffield ’15
(Vanderbilt University football alumnus)
 
Coach Bu ’11 believes, “Young athletes are the most coachable. The sooner you give them the proper tools to become a better person as well as an athlete, the stronger impact they’ll have on society and the game itself.” This is why he and others come back to coach. Will Downey ’12 shares that “some of the most important lessons I have learned in life have come from the comradery and competition involved during my time in Ensworth Athletics.” He continues, “Everything from preparation to pursuing excellence, building trust to open communication.” 
 
The joy of athletics extends beyond their years here as students. Coach Sheffield ’15 shares, “The most exciting part is just trying to get one more kid to believe in themselves than the previous day.” Others exclaim that watching their teams grow, delegating roles and responsibilities as a team, establishing expectations, and watching students strive for them also fires them up. Although their role at Ensworth has changed, some things remain the same. 
 
Will Downey
“While the buildings, infrastructure, and cafeteria set-up may have changed over the years, the most important aspect of Ensworth hasn’t: community. I am always amazed at how tight-knit and willing we are to work together individually to create a life-long learning experience for students and faculty alike.”
- Will Downey ’12 (Sewanee basketball alumnus)

Ensworth Alumni Coaches

High School Coaches

  • Ashley Glotta ’14
  • Jeremy Lehman ’08
  • Cole Parrish ’11
  • Nate Parrish ’75
  • Shomari White ’13
  • Caroline Blair ’15
  • Caroline Cowles ’17
  • Gary Pope ’09
  • Will Downey ’12
  • Johnny Rich ’94

Middle School Coaches

  • Myles Douglas ’15
  • Nantambu Fentress ’11
  • PJ Settles ’15
  • Donovan Sheffield ’15
  • Andrew Bond ’84
  • Brooks Corzine ’79
  • Tish Picklesimer ’99
  • Tiffany Dale ’91
  • Tim Wallace ’83
  • Andrew Sinks ’17
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Red Gables Campus (K–8)

Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 383-0661

Frist Campus (9–12)

Nashville, TN 37221
(615) 301-5400
Ensworth is a coeducational, kindergarten through twelfth grade, independent day school.