Howard Pride Named Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cleveland High School: A New Era Begins
On Thursday afternoon, Cleveland High School officially announced the hiring of Howard Pride as the new head coach of the Blue Raiders boys basketball team. Pride, a seasoned leader with a decorated playing and coaching background, joined The Drive on ESPN Cleveland 101.3 shortly after the announcement to discuss his vision for the program and what drew him to the position.
"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity," said Pride. "Cleveland High School is one of the blue blood programs in the state of Tennessee. From the facilities to the leadership and commitment to athletics, this is the kind of place where sports don’t take a back seat to anything."
Pride brings a wealth of experience, both on and off the court. A former Alabama Mr. Basketball in 1993, Pride turned down a chance to play professional baseball with the California Angels to instead play basketball at Vanderbilt University, where he was a multi-year starter, team captain, and SEC All-Academic honoree.
Following his collegiate career, Pride coached at the collegiate level with stops at Tennessee State, Howard, Belmont, and UAB. He also spent nearly two decades leading high school programs, most recently at East Hamilton and previously at Stewart’s Creek.
During the interview, Pride emphasized the importance of servant leadership and building a team culture grounded in community involvement and competitive spirit. “We’re going to have a service-first culture with the competitive greatness of warriors,” he said. “We want our players to be great teammates, great competitors, and great representatives of Cleveland High School.”
Pride also highlighted the value of strong relationships within the athletic department. He expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with Cleveland Lady Raiders head coach Bianca Hensley, whom he previously worked alongside at Stewart’s Creek. “Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “We’ll be on the same page, supporting each other’s programs and showing our student-athletes what unity and respect between coaches looks like.”
As for his coaching style, Pride said he won’t box players into a particular system. “It would be a disservice to force a style. I coach the kids who show up, and I’ll adjust to their strengths,” he explained. “But no matter what, we’re going to compete hard every night.”
To Cleveland players and families listening, Coach Pride had a heartfelt message: “You have a competitor, a friend, and a community leader. We’re going to get the best out of your sons—in the classroom, in the hallways, and on the court.”
The interview wrapped with a light-hearted nod to a friendly rivalry between Pride, a proud Vanderbilt Commodore, and Coach Hensley, a die-hard Ole Miss Rebel. “We’re a house divided,” Pride joked, “but united in our goal to elevate Cleveland basketball.”
As Coach Pride prepares to lead the Blue Raiders into a new chapter, one thing is clear: Cleveland High School is getting more than just a coach—they're gaining a passionate mentor, a proven leader, and a man ready to make an impact.