(WJHL) – Former Dobyns-Bennett girl’s basketball standout Courtney Whitson has made her second home at Middle Tennessee over the last six-plus years.

First, as a player – and most recently, this past season, as an assistant coach.

“I was coordinating a lot of our travel and meals and money – all the fun stuff that people don’t see,” she said. “It made me very grateful for all the work that goes into our success.”

But, this season, she’ll embark on a new challenge at Lenoir City High School. The Panthers, who will make the jump up to Class 4A this winter, hired Whitson as the newest physical education teacher and girl’s basketball assistant coach late last week.

After playing for and learning under longtime Blue Raider head man, Rick Insell, Whitson will have a chance to learn from another coaching legend at Lenoir City.

Shelley Collier, point guard for the Lady Vols 1987 national championship team, is entering her third season with the Panthers. She spent the better part of 25 seasons coach Knox Webb prior to that, claiming six TSSAA state basketball championships.

“I believe that her knowledge, experience is something that can groom me [into a head coach],” Whitson explained. “I’ve seen Coach Insell for so long … so, being able to learn from both sides of greatness an put that together and mold that into my own style of coaching.”

Now, Whitson said developing that style, uniquely her own, is a huge priority as she begins Year 1 at LCHS.

“As a player, I was a passionate player that truly just wanted to change hearts one game at a time,” she explained. “So, as a coach, I truly want to lead and impact – be energetic and passionate. I hope the girls at any program I’m at – just like this past year at MTSU – I hope they can truly feel my energy and passion as a new coach.”