Coaching Staff 33 1982, when he guided the Eagles to a 10-2 record and an NAIA playoff berth in his third season. Carson-Newman lost in the opening round of the playoffs that season, but the culture of the Eagles program was forever changed. The next season, C-N won its second-straight SAC-8 title, then captured its first national football title in school history, beating heavily-favored Mesa State 36-28 in the NAIA Champion Bowl. The Eagles brought home four more titles beginning with a 19-19 tie with Central Arkansas in 1984. Carson-Newman shutout Cameron 17-0 in the 1986 championship game, blew out Adams State 56-21 in 1988 for the title and cruised to a fifth in 1989 with a 34-20 win over Emporia State. In 2009, After opening the season 0-2, the Eagles reeled off 11 consecutive victories, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the SAC to claim their 21st conference title. C-N fell a game short of making its 11th national title game appearance, falling to Grand Valley State in the Division II semifinals. 2012 went down similarly for Sparks’ Eagles. After stuttering to a 2-2 start, the Eagles reeled of seven consecutive victories to earn a first round bye. C-N came out in round two and took the SAC champions, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, out of the playoffs with a 38-35 victory. Carson-Newman would fall just shy of the semis against eventual national champions Valdosta State. A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Sparks began his coaching career at Gibbs High School in Knoxville, restarting the football program with a winning season. A year later Sparks coached quarterbacks and wide receivers at Tennessee Tech while earning his Master’s Degree. He coached Morristown East High School for one season before returning to his alma mater, Carson-Newman, to serve as offensive coordinator for then-Carson- Newman head coach Dal Shealy and oversee the track program. Sparks served both teams with distinction, receiving Southern Collegiate Track Coach of the Year honors in 1977. With Sparks running the offense, the 1972 Eagles advanced to their first-ever NAIA Champion Bowl, falling to East Texas State. Sparks took over the Farragut High School football program in 1977, guiding the Admirals to a 29-5 record. Sparks was twice-voted KIL and KFA Coach of the Year. After three seasons, Sparks was asked to take command of the Carson-Newman football program. Coach Sparks is a sought-after public speaker and motivator, delivering speeches a coaches clinics, church groups and civic organizations. He is a member of Manley Baptist Church of Morristown, along with his wife Carol, and is heavily involved in multiple Christian organizations. Date GM # in season Victory # Opponent Score Sept. 13, 1980 1 1 Central Florida 30-21 Sept. 6, 1986 1 50 Wofford 17-15 Oct. 6, 1990 5 100 Newberry 56-35 Sept. 5, 1996 1 150 Lane 49-8 Sept. 6, 2000 3 200 @ Western Oregon 24-7 Oct. 27, 2005 9 250 v. Catawba 33-21 Aug. 30, 2012 1 300 v. Glenville State 56-46
Carson-Newman Online 2014 Football Media Guide
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