By Harlan County Schools
T.J. Green has been hired to lead the Harlan County Black Bear middle school football program for the 2026 season.
“I am so excited for coach Green to take over HCMS football,” said Harlan County High School coach Jacob Saylor. “He will bring a wealth of football knowledge to our middle school program.”
Saylor said, “I know coach Green will not only do a great job teaching our youth football, but he will also treat our middle school players with love and respect. It is just great to have T.J. Green back home where he belongs. Once a Black Bear, always a Black Bear.”
Green admits “It sure feels good to be home,” and adding “Go Bears!”
Green’s success as a Harlan County Black Bear is well noted across the internet, including his heroic performance to lead the Black Bears to a 15-14 comeback victory over Perry Central in 2009 by scoring 15 points in the final minutes. He was a two-year starter at running back at Cawood High School before the merger in 2008.
He also played basketball at HCHS, scoring the winning basket in the final seconds at Pineville to give the Bears the first victory in school history.
He was recently selected for Team Kentucky, again sharing his knowledge for youth football in the area.
Green reflected on his hiring.
“As we wrapped up talks and got everything done, the most important thing to (assistant coach) Brian (Owens) and myself was to be somewhere where football players are treated special,” he said. “A lot of people who haven’t been close to the game don’t realize how special of a young man it takes to willingly strap up and put those helmets on in 90-degree heat. They deserve the best of the best.”
Green said, ““I wanted to make sure my son felt how special it is to be a Black Bear. mostly because I know what it feels like to put that black HC helmet on. I helped start this program all of those years ago. It was important to me to come back and finish what we started.”
Spring conditioning has begun.
Students interested in joining the team may contact Green or talk to their school principal.
