Team History and Awards

Austin-East High School, also known as Austin-East Magnet High School, is located at 2800 Martin Luther King Jr Ave in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school fields athletic teams known as the Roadrunners, sporting scarlet red and Columbia blue colors. Austin-East is operated by Knox County Schools and includes a magnet school program in performing arts. The school is the successor to two formerly racially segregated schools—the all-black Austin High School (founded in 1879) and the all-white East High School—which were combined in 1968 to form the integrated Austin-East High School.

The Roadrunners’ football program has a proud championship tradition, having captured two TSSAA state championships: 1983 (Class AA) and 2001 (Class 3A). The program also finished as state runner-up in 1985 and 1987, demonstrating sustained excellence during that era. The 2001 championship team completed a remarkable 13-2 season, bringing home the Class 3A title. Currently competing in TSSAA Division I Class 3A, Region 2, Austin-East continues to develop young athletes while maintaining its commitment to academic and athletic excellence.

Team Highlights and Notable Alumni

Championship History: Austin-East has won two state football championships, establishing the program as one of Knoxville’s most successful:

• 1983 – Class AA State Champions
• 2001 – Class 3A State Champions (13-2 record)

The program also reached the state championship game in 1985 and 1987, finishing as runner-up both years, demonstrating remarkable consistency during the mid-1980s.

Notable Football Alumni: Austin-East has produced exceptional talent that has gone on to success at the highest levels:

• Leroy Thompson – Former NFL running back known for his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. Thompson was an All-American football player who led Austin-East to state championships in football, basketball, and track during his senior year (1987 graduate).
• Reggie McKenzie – Former NFL player and executive who notably served as general manager for the Las Vegas Raiders, demonstrating success both on the field and in NFL front offices.
• Joe Fishback – Professional football player who also played college ball in the SEC and won two Super Bowl championships (1987).
• Tavon Austin – Former NFL wide receiver who played for the St. Louis Rams and other teams, known for his explosive playmaking ability.
• Carl Torbush – Football coach who attended East High School and remained at Austin-East after the merger, graduating in the merged school’s first class. He was the first Austin-East football player to receive all-state recognition.

2025 Season Leadership: Under Head Coach Stanton Stevens and Assistant Coach Tobran Tillman, the Roadrunners continue to build on their championship tradition while developing the next generation of student-athletes.

Meet the Team – 2026 Roster Snapshot

Head Coach: Stanton Stevens

Assistant Coaches: Jordan Dunbar, James Gaillard 3rd, Zack James, Kristopher Kimbrough, Corey Larkins, Charlie McCaleb, Tobran Tillman

2026 Season Schedule

(District games marked with *)

• Aug 21 – vs South-Doyle HS (Home), 7:00 PM
• Sep 11 – vs Scott HS* (Home)
• Sep 25 – at Kingston HS* (Away), 7:00 PM
• Oct 2 – at Sweetwater HS* (Away)
• Oct 16 – vs Carter HS (Home)
• Oct 23 – vs Meigs Co. HS* (Home)
• Oct 30 – vs McMinn Central HS* (Home), 7:00 PM