Tiger Coaching Staff

Dee Lewis, Athletic Coordinator and Head Boys Basketball Coach

Coach Dee Lewis enters his 18th year in education. Coach Lewis is a graduate of Gladewater High School and went on to further his education at Kilgore College and Lamar University. Lewis is a former Teacher/Coach at White Oak ISD while serving as Girls Athletic Coordinator and Head Girls Basketball Coach. He has served at several school districts where he received various awards including being named "Coach of the Year 2022-2023". Coach Lewis continues to impact the lives of young people wherever he works.

Another attribute Coach Dee has is that he is a family man first and a professional second. Coach Dee gives God all the Glory for all his accomplishments and blessings. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his (own personal basketball team) aka "blended" family; including kids, Keaundra, Kenyatta, Princess, Ashaila, Dshun and G-Baby Kaden. Last but not least, he wants to thank his "biggest supporter and personal cheerleader" and the lady that keeps him straight, Stephanie Woods.

Coach Dee says his greatest accomplishment was taking the Union Grove Boys Basketball team to playoffs after 53 years, earning him the District Coach of the Year honor in 2014. Along with winning a district championship for the first time in 54 years in 14-15, Lewis went to the playoffs 5 of the 7 years while coaching at Union Grove.

Coach Dee motto in life is that he wants to inspire people. He wants them to look at him and say, "Because of you, I didn't give up"!

#FaithOverFear

Coach Marlon Byrdsong, Head Football Coach

Mr. Byrdsong is a 2001 Graduate of Tatum High School. He then went on to attend the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB) where he was a member of the football team. He graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Special Education from Stephen F. Austin University in 2005. Mr. Byrdsong then graduated with his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont in 2009. Mr. Byrdsong has been in education for 20 years. He has had numerous roles in his career in education ranging from Elementary reading specialist to High School Special Education teacher. Mr. Byrdsong has also coached and mentored many young athletes over his career. He is married to his beautiful wife Tanisha, and they have two children. Deuce (Marlon Jr.) will be a 7th grader and Michelle will be a 5th grader. “I hope that the school and parents will be able to work together to assist students in reaching their full potential,” he said. “As we come together and work in collaboration, our students, school, and community will continue to be successful. Go Tigers!!"

Coach Darvin Peterson, Head Girls Basketball Coach, Cross Country, and Track

Coach Peterson is going into his 12th year in education and 2nd year at Tenaha, with this year being his first year as Head Coach for the Tenaha Lady Tiger Basketball Program. Last year, Coach Peterson assisted the basketball program to an undefeated District Championship and the State Regional semifinals which had 6 All District and 2 All Starter performers. Along with varsity basketball, Coach Peterson was the head Girls Cross Country coach, assistant Track coach, and led the middle school girls basketball program to undefeated 17-0 season. In the classroom Coach Peterson will be a High School CTE and Elementary PE Teacher. Prior to arriving in Tenaha, Coach Peterson was head coach for Dallas ISD Molina Lady Jaguars Basketball Team in 2022-2023 and led the team to the second most wins in school history. He also served on the football staff and boys basketball staff from 2019-2022 with many roles including Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator. From 2013-2019 Coach Peterson served Humble ISD as a Special Education Teacher. Coach Peterson is joined in Tenaha with his wife Mrs. Laporsha Peterson and their 3 children Angel, Darvin, and Alexis. Coach Peterson and his family are excited about being in Tenaha and are looking forward to a great school year.