Tennessee State's Christion Abercrombie, who suffered a life-threatening injury in a football game against Vanderbilt this past season, is preparing to return to school and complete his degree.

The middle linebacker from Atlanta has made a remarkable recovery after having two brain surgeries. He is undergoing outpatient rehabilitation therapy.

"Christion will be returning to Tennessee State to finish up his sports management degree," Abercrombie's mother, Staci, told The Tennessean. "We don't have an exact time frame, but I do know that he has three more semesters to complete and he will definitely be returning."

The possibility exists, Staci said, for her son to re-enroll as early as August.

She also said the family plans to move from Atlanta to Nashville to remain close to her son.

Abercrombie transferred from Illinois in 2018.

"My husband (Derrick) asked Christion if you could change anything, what would it be?'" Staci said. "He was like, 'To return to school,' so that's a passion that he has. He was very new at Tennessee State, but he found it to be very comfortable and family-oriented, and he's looking forward to returning."

Abercrombie is at a point in his rehabilitation where he is starting to learn to drive again.

He is in almost daily contact with several of his teammates, including his roommates, Te'kendrick Roberson and Sabree Curtis.

Abercrombie suffered the injury in the first half of a game on Sept. 29 at Vanderbilt. He was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery.

After recovering from the injury sooner than doctors originally expected, Abercrombie was transported to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta 17 days later.

He was able to count on his fingers and respond to verbal commands before leaving Vanderbilt.

By Oct. 15, Abercrombie was able to breathe on his own.

On Oct. 22, he was able to speak, and on Nov. 6 able to eat on his own.

On Nov. 11, he was walking again and able to climb stairs.

On Dec. 17, Abercrombie was allowed to leave the Shepherd Center to go home for the day, and on Dec. 21 he graduated from the rehabilitation program, was released and began outpatient therapy.

Ex-Vanderbilt, TSU coach hired at Alabama

Former Vanderbilt and Tennessee State assistant football coach Charles Huff was hired at Alabama.

Huff, 35, spent last season as the running backs coach at Mississippi State. He also will coach the Crimson Tide running backs.

Huff was an offensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt in 2011 on James Franklin’s staff.

He rejoined Franklin at Penn State as special teams coordinator and running backs coach from 2014-17.

In 2006, Huff began his career at Tennessee State as offensive line coach. He was the Tigers’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach from 2007-08.

Also, former Vanderbilt assistant Rod Chance is the new defensive analyst at Minnesota. Chance spent last season at Oregon and was at Southern Utah before that.

He was a defensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt from 2012-15.

Kent Austin hired by Hugh Freeze

Former Brentwood Academy quarterback Kent Austin has joined coach Hugh Freeze’s staff at Liberty.

Austin, 55, will serve as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

He spent the past six seasons in the Canadian Football League in several roles with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

After leading Brentwood Academy to the Class 2A state championship in 1980, Austin went on to play at Ole Miss.

He served as the Rebels' offensive coordinator from 2008-10.

Freeze was the head coach at Ole Miss (2012-16) and an assistant (2006-07).

More:Hugh Freeze of Liberty addresses his flirtation with UT Vols, Auburn

Walker writes book on P.K. Subban

Local Associated Press sports writer Teresa Walker has written a book targeted for grades 3-9 on Predators defenseman P.K. Subban.

It focuses on Subban’s flashy style of play, his involvement in the community and that he is a black player in a predominantly white sport.

It also covers Subban’s childhood in Canada and the blockbuster trade that brought him to Nashville from Montreal.

“P.K. Subban: Making His Mark On The Hockey World” is available in local bookstores and at amazon.com.

Kyle Shurmur shines in Collegiate Bowl

Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur led the American team to a 10-7 win in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Shurmur completed 10 of 19 passes for 80 yards with one interception.

Middle Tennessee State quarterback Brent Stockstill was 5-of-13 for 71 yards for the National team. Stockstill also rushed for 27 yards on two carries.

Former deputy DA going into Martin Methodist hall of fame

Longtime Nashville Deputy District Attorney Tom Thurman was a standout baseball and tennis player at Martin Methodist and will be inducted into the school's sports hall of fame.

Thurman, a Crossville native, retired from the District Attorney's office after 39 years in 2016.

He was an infielder on the baseball team and played tennis at Martin when it was a junior college (1965-66). He went on to play tennis at Tennessee Tech.

Thurman and former Tennessean sports columnist Larry Woody were teammates on Martin's tennis team.

Dana Davis, who was a trainer at Martin in the 1990s, also will be inducted.

More:Tom Thurman retires after keeping promise to Vanderbilt rape victim

Sounds hiring 350-400 workers

The Sounds will host two job fairs, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, at First Tennessee Park in preparation for the 2019 season, which begins in April.

The team needs to fill 350-400 part-time jobs.

Positions are available in the ticket office, as fan hosts, parking, merchandise, cashiers, custodial, legend races, bat boys and ground crew.

In addition, the team's hospitality partner, Centerplate, is looking for concession workers, cooks, servers, cashiers, catering attendants and warehouse workers.

Both job fairs are from 5-7 p.m. For more information, call 615-690-4487 or visit nashvillesounds.com.

The Sounds are also accepting auditions from national anthem singers. Anyone interested should email ShannynW@nashvillesounds.com.

Joey Seals inducted into hall of fame

Former Goodpasture and Belmont baseball player Joey Seals, who became a standout in the city’s amateur leagues, was inducted into the Nashville Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

Seals signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being selected in the 1989 draft. He played three years in the Dodgers’ organization before his career was cut short by an injury.

In 1992, Seals returned to Nashville and became a switch-hitting catcher who helped lead two teams — Twitty City Records and Nashville Stixx — to the Stan Musial World Series. In 1998, he was the league's MVP.

The induction took place at the Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association banquet.

Susan Purdy received the Nashville Sounds Fan of the Year Award; outfielder Nick Martini was named Sound of the Year; and Tommy Parker received the President’s Award.

Tullahoma retires Hess' number

The jersey No. 12 of former Tullahoma pitcher David Hess was retired on Monday.

Hess, 25, who went on to play at Tennessee Tech, is headed into his second season with the Baltimore Orioles.

As a senior at Tullahoma Hess posted an 8-1 record with a 1.94 ERA and 102 strikeouts. He also had a .392 batting average with eight home runs and 41 RBIs.

Michael House is Fairgrounds Speedway champ

Michael House was crowned the Pro Late Model champion at the annual Fairgrounds Nashville Speedway banquet.

The Columbia resident won four of the six races in 2018 and finished runner-up in one.

Tanner Arms from Greenbrier was named rookie of the year.

Other champions were Chase Johnson (pro model), Hunter Wright (legends), Daniel Harper (front runner), Carl Porter Sr. (pure stock), Kevin Rollins (limited late model) and Bob Terry (super truck).

Nashville SC-New York tickets on sale

Single-game tickets for Nashville SC's exhibition against New York City FC are on sale. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at First Tennessee Park.

Tickets start at $15 and are available by calling 615-457-8200 or by visiting NashvilleSC.com/tickets.

Billy Whittaker wins 400th match

Longtime high school wrestling coach Billy Whittaker won his 400th career match recently.

Whittaker is now the coach at M.L. King, and his landmark victory came against Creek Wood. It improved M.L. King's record to 19-5.

Whittaker, who previously coached at East Nashville, is in this 25th year.

Boxing champ Plant hosting fan event

Newly crowned IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plantfrom Nashville will serve as host of a meet and greet for fans at Music City Boxing Gym on Kentucky Avenue on Friday. It begins at 6 p.m.

Plant’s father and co-trainer, Richie Plant, will also be there along with head trainer Justin Gamber.

Central High golf tournament registration open

The annual Central High Alumni Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 3 at Franklin Bridge Golf Club in Franklin.

A 2019 Chevrolet will be the prize for a hole-in-one made on the ninth hole.

It will be a scramble format limited to 32 foursomes.

The deadline to register is March 29. Call Kathy Smith at 615-305-6255 to register.

Funds go to scholarships for descendants of students who went to Central High School, which closed in 1971.

If you have an item for Midstate Chatter, contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

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