Boyd-Buchanan (TN) football promotes asst. to head coach

Boyd-Buchanan (TN) football program has found the coaching replacement for the legendary Gary Rankin, who stepped down last month after deciding to step away from the Buccaneers.

According to Shayne Pickering on Thursday, the Buccaneers have promoted assistant Charles Fant to head coach of the football program. Fant had a successful run as the head coach at Chattanooga Notre Dame High School (TN) for 12 seasons.

BREAKING: Boyd Buchanan has promoted assistant Charles Fant to the open head coaching position

He joined the Bucs staff after a strong 12 year run as head coach at Notre Dame

He was instrumental in developing the talent at Boyd the last two seasons

Great hire for the program! pic.twitter.com/vqVZxBKNpq

— Shayne Pickering (@shaynep_media) March 12, 2026

Fant takes over for Rankin, 72, who had still proven himself as still one of the best head coaches in the state of Tennessee, leading the Buccaneers to a 12-1 record last fall. Rankin has compiled 510 victories and is also a TSSAA Hall of Famer, served four seasons at Boyd-Buchanan School with a 43-7 record, including a state championship appearance in 2023.

During Fant’s time leading Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish had won three region championships, reached three state quarterfinals, two state semifinals, and were TSSAA Division II-AA finalists in 2017.

The Buccaneers ended this past season finishing ranked No. 18 in the state, according to the final 2025 Tennessee High School Football Massey Rankings.

More about Boyd-Buchanan School

Founded in 1952, Boyd-Buchanan School is a private Christian institution in Chattanooga, TN, catering to students from preschool through 12th grade. The school is dedicated to fostering academic excellence alongside spiritual growth, emphasizing strong character development and citizenship. With a diverse curriculum and a vibrant community, BBS offers a range of extracurricular activities, including competitive athletics, arts, and service opportunities. The school’s values are rooted in Christian teachings, making it a nurturing environment for holistic education.

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