Shemar Patten and Oliver Thatcher join track & field coaching staff
Kieran Showler-Davis adds a pair of seasoned athletes to his staff in preparation for the looming season
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Former Carson-Newman Eagle, Shemar Patten, and Lenoir-Rhyne Bear, Oliver Thatcher, round out Kieran Showler-Davis's coaching staff for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.
"I'm really excited about bringing both of these guys on board," Showler-Davis said. "I've known Shemar for years as his coach, and I'm equally excited to have Oliver joining us."
Patten, a native of Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica, spent the last two seasons with Carson-Newman, initially beginning his career at Mississippi College.
During his final year, he ran the first leg on the 4x100m team that won the 2025 SAC Championship. He also ran the opening leg of the 4x100m relay in the preliminary round of the NCAA Division II Championships.
"Even as a student-athlete, he was already acting like a coach, he was offering feedback, correcting technique, and showing a deeper understanding of the sport," Showler-Davis said. "He's going to be a tremendous addition to our staff, and he will make an immediate impact this fall."
Thatcher comes to Mossy Creek by way of SAC counterpart, Lenoir-Rhyne. He became the third multi in Bears history to earn All-American status, being named to the second team for his efforts last season.
In his senior year, Thatcher won the decathlon at the 2025 SAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, racking up 6947 points, the most in his career. He notched a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships with 6793 points.
"As a decathlete, he's done it all, and now he's bringing the same versatility and knowledge into his coaching role here at C-N," Showler-Davis said. "His expertise as a multi-eventer means he can contribute not only to our growing multis group but also provide valuable insight across every event area. He's going to have a positive influence on the entire squad."
The Eagles begin their indoor season tomorrow, December 4 at the Liberty Kickoff event in Lynchburg, Virginia.
