Denard Bertram returns to lead Wildcats
Denard Bertram (photo:ORHS Sports Media )
Bertram, a Harriman High School graduate, is no stranger to the Wildcats and one of Tennessee’s most-storied basketball programs.
“I was an assistant here from 2011 to 14, and I know the tradition and the expectations here at Oak Ridge,” said Bertram, who replaces his former boss, Aaron Green. “I know the expectations, the tradition and the standard of the athletic program across the board.
“I also know about the high academic standards here, the community support and what it’s like to play at Wildcat Arena. I grew up playing at Harriman, so I’ve experienced that atmosphere before. You see everything that Oak Ridge has to offer.”
Bertram spent time coaching at Midway and Concord Christian and served as an assistant coach on Harriman’s 2017 Class A state championship team before taking over as the head coach at Austin-East before the 2022-23 season. He guided the Roadrunners to 83 victories in four seasons.
Austin-East finished 19-13 last season and lost to Clinton in the Region 2-AAA tournament semifinals.
Under Bertram, the Roadrunners reached the sectional round of the state playoffs twice, and made one Class AAA state tournament appearance.
At Oak Ridge, he replaces Green, who retired after 16 seasons and more than 400 wins with the Wildcats.
“We’re going to build on what Coach Green started,” Bertram said.
Bertram will enter a rugged District 4-4A, which featured multiple state tournament teams this past season. Both Bearden and Farragut reached the state tournament, while Hardin Valley Academy upset District 3-4A champion Knoxville Central in the regional quarterfinals.
But Bertram said he’s accustomed to facing elite competition.
“When I was at Austin-East, I thought we played in the toughest district around and we had three Mr. Basketballs in that district,” he said. “You had Fulton, Alcoa, Austin-East and Carter, and those are all good teams.
“At Austin-East, we also played Bearden, Farragut and Hardin Valley.”
Bertram said the transition from Austin-East to Oak Ridge comes with similar expectations.
“Coming from Austin-East to Oak Ridge, there’s the same pressure to win and pressure to perform,” he said. “But it’s good pressure.”
