JV/Varsity Football

Coach Mason Sledge – Head Football & Basketball Coach, Union Academy

Coach Mason Sledge enters his first official year as Union Academy’s head football coach after serving as interim last season. He also serves as the head basketball coach for Union Academy. Now in his third year at Union Academy, Coach Sledge also teaches at the school. A 2012 Monroe High School graduate, he went on to play collegiate football at UNC-Charlotte, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology.

Coach Sledge furthered his education and football career as a graduate transfer at Campbell University, where he received his first Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Exercise Science. In 2022, he earned a second Master’s Degree—this time in the Art of Teaching from NC A&T.

Coach Sledge is married to his wonderful wife, Madison, and their daughters, Parker and Mayson, Parker is a proud student at Union Academy. When not coaching, he cherishes spending time with his family. Coach Sledge is excited for another great year at Union Academy. WE ARE UA!

Contact:  gsledge@unionacademy.org

Coach Chase Byrum
Defensive Coordinator, Union Academy

Coach Chase Byrum enters his first season as Defensive Coordinator at Union Academy, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for developing young athletes. A 2015 graduate of Monroe High School, Coach Byrum made his mark as a standout running back, amassing over 5,000 career rushing yards. His efforts helped lead the team to a state championship runner-up finish, earning him numerous individual accolades along the way.

Following high school, Coach Byrum attended Elizabeth City State University on a football scholarship, where he excelled as a freshman All-American. After his playing career, he remained at Elizabeth City State to coach for two years, beginning his trajectory as a dedicated mentor and leader.

Prior to joining Union Academy, Coach Byrum served as Defensive Coordinator at Hickory Grove Christian School for three seasons. Under his leadership, the program set a school record for shutouts and had six student-athletes earn college football scholarships in a single season.

Coach Byrum is excited to bring his experience, work ethic, and defensive expertise to Union Academy and is committed to helping student-athletes grow both on and off the field.

Hoffman begins his first year as a coach at Union Academy, bringing with him a deep understanding of the game from his years as both a standout player and versatile collegiate athlete.

A multi-sport star at Berry Academy, Hoffman excelled as both a quarterback and defensive end. As a senior, he was named First Team All-Mecklenburg County quarterback, and the year prior earned First Team All-Conference honors as a defensive end. A two-time Team MVP for the Cardinals under head coach Andrew Howard, he set a school record with 352 passing yards completed in a game. His athletic versatility also extended to basketball, where he earned Honorable Mention recognition.

Hoffman continued his football career at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, joining the 49ers in the fall of 2012 and taking part in practices throughout the program’s foundational year ahead of its 2013 inaugural season. Initially a high school quarterback, he transitioned to a hybrid H-back/offensive line role in college, valued for his adaptability and football IQ.

In the 2013 inaugural season, Hoffman appeared in three games, making his collegiate debut in Charlotte’s first FCS road win at Presbyterian (Sept. 28). By 2014, he was contributing in all 11 games, including special teams play and a 10-yard kick return against Gardner-Webb. His senior season in 2015 was his most productive, playing in all 12 games and recording a career-best six receptions for 73 yards (12.2 yards per catch), highlighted by a 31-yard reception at Kentucky.

Known for his leadership, work ethic, and ability to adapt to multiple offensive roles, Hoffman now brings those same qualities to coaching as he works to develop the next generation of Cardinals players.

Zion Barnette is a dedicated coach, mentor, and man of faith, committed to developing young athletes both on and off the field. A former collegiate athlete and multi-position standout, Zion brings versatility, leadership, and a heart-led coaching philosophy grounded in biblical principles.

A native of North Carolina, Zion played four years of high school football at Hickory Ridge before earning an athletic scholarship to Concord University. Throughout his time at Concord, he demonstrated exceptional adaptability, starting at every position in the secondary. In his junior year, he transitioned to wide receiver, quickly making an impact with back-to-back 100-yard games. Zion completed his collegiate career at Glenville State University as a full-time wide receiver and kick returner.

Following a brief stint with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League, Zion made the decision to step away from playing professionally and fully pursue his passion for coaching. As a coach, he is devoted to instilling discipline, purpose, and a strong moral foundation in student-athletes, using sports as a tool to build character and resilience.

Zion is a proud husband and one of six siblings, drawing strength from his family values and faith. His mission is simple: to help young athletes turn “nothing into something” through effort, integrity, and belief

Deven Holland is entering his second season as the defensive line coach for the Union Academy Cardinals and his third season as head wrestling coach, a role he began in 2023.

A standout athlete in high school, Holland played football as a defensive tackle and guard for the Wiesbaden Warriors. During his career, he was a three-time North Europe Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, and led his division in tackles.

In wrestling, Holland was equally accomplished, earning numerous accolades including:

• Two-time Northern European Champion

• Top-5 Continental Wrestler for three consecutive years

• Three-time All-European selection

• Bronze medalist at the 2018 European Championships

In 2019, Holland signed with Coker University to wrestle, where he served as team captain for three years. He was a 2021 SAC Regional Championship qualifier and a two-time All-American. He graduated from Coker in 2023 with a degree in Criminology and Sociology and a minor in Education.

In the 2024 academic year, Holland joined Union Academy as a teacher, instructing middle school ELA, science, and now social studies, in addition to his coaching roles.

Coach Darrel Basnight 

Coach Darrel Basnight’s football journey began at Independence High School in Charlotte, NC, where he played a pivotal role as a Defensive Back and Punt Returner for one of the most dominant programs in North Carolina history. During his tenure, Independence captured two 4A State Championships and contributed to an astonishing 77-game win streak, earning consistent top national rankings and solidifying its legendary status in the state.

After high school, Coach Basnight competed at the collegiate level, playing intermittently for NC A&T, Clark Atlanta University, and Johnson C. Smith University as a Defensive Back. One of the defining moments of his playing career came in the spring of 2006, when during offseason workouts, he famously shut out NFL great Calvin Johnson in 7-on-7 drills, defying doubts about his size and proving his skill and tenacity.

Transitioning from player to mentor, Coach Basnight quickly made an impact. In 2007–08, he led the GA Elite 12U travel team to a Cobb County Championship as head coach, followed by another 12U Championship in San Antonio, Texas, as defensive coordinator. His commitment to developing young athletes carried on in Union County, NC, where his teams made back-to-back appearances in the Carolina Midget Championships in 2022 and 2023—winning one with an undefeated season.

His excellence on the sidelines has been recognized with three Coach of the Year awards (2005, 2007, 2008). At the semi-pro level, he coached linebackers and running backs for the Carolina Venom in 2020 and 2021, helping one linebacker/running back earn an Arena League tryout and guiding another to a league All-Star selection.

From player to championship coach, Coach Darrel Basnight has built a career defined by perseverance, competitive excellence, and a deep passion for developing athletes of all levels.

Wesley Parker is in his first year coaching the offensive line for the Union Academy Cardinals, his alma mater. He is a 2024 graduate of Union Academy where he was a two-sport standout in wrestling and football. Wesley was a three-year starter on the varsity offensive line and earned four letters in wrestling. He is currently attending Wingate University while coaching at Union Academy.