Kendrick Wade, who spent two seasons at Mississippi Valley State before he parted ways with the school, is a head coach again.
Wade announced on social media that he has been named the new head football coach at Ripley High School in Tennessee.
Wade said the decision came after “weeks of prayers and talks” with those closest to him as he weighed offers to remain in the college ranks against the opportunity to lead a tradition-rich high school program in West Tennessee.
“It was tough coming to this decision because I had some great opportunities to stay in college ball,” Wade said in an X post. “But in the end, God made it clear to me that He wanted me to be the one to lead this amazing program and community into a New Era.”
After weeks of prayers and talks with my inner circle, I’m excited to announce that I’m the new Head Coach at Ripley High School in Ripley, TN! It was tough coming to this decision because I had some great opportunities to stay in college ball BUT in the end, God made it clear to… pic.twitter.com/rXR088NLC2
— Kendrick Wade (@Coach_kwade) January 24, 2026
The move marks a return to the sidelines for Wade, who spent the last nine years in college football, including a two-year tenure as head coach at Mississippi Valley State in 2023 and 2024 and a role on the Memphis Tigers staff working with the offense this past season.
At Mississippi Valley State, Wade went 2-21 and 2-14 in the SWAC before he was let go at the end of the 2024 season.
He said the chance to pour that experience into Ripley’s players and community ultimately drew him to the job.
“I’ve spent the last nine years of my career coaching college football, so it was hard for me to leave,” Wade said. “But I thought, ‘How great it would be to bring all of that experience and knowledge from all of the great coaches and programs that I’ve been blessed to be a part of to Ripley High School.’”
Ripley High School, a Class 3A program, is looking to Wade to elevate its competitiveness and culture
Wade has made it clear his expectations in Ripley extend beyond wins and losses, emphasizing faith, work ethic, and accountability as cornerstones of his approach. With offseason workouts already beginning to take shape, the new coach delivered a message to players and fans that captured his urgency and enthusiasm: “Ripley, it’s time to go to work.”
