kids (Season 1) Pamela Jane "P.J." Moore (Nell Carter) – Principal of Oakbridge High during seasons two and three, who was Mark's sister's best friend and his babysitter as a young kid; though it seemed to Mark that P.J. was tough on him, it was revealed later in season three that she was tough on him because she saw the potential in him to be a great teacher (Seasons 2–3) Geneva Lee (Sandra Quarterman) – Mark's cousin from Georgia, who (with her daughter Nicole) moves in with Mark and Vanessa; seemed out of place in California in early episodes; worked as a music teacher and then principal at Oakbridge High (Seasons 2–5) Nicole Lee (Raven-Symoné) – Mark's precocious preteen cousin, whom Mark thinks of as practically a daughter; develops a friendship with next-door neighbor Tyler Foster (Seasons 2–5) Earvin Rodman (Omar Gooding) – One of Mark's students and player on the Oakbridge Penguins boys' basketball team; was not a stellar student, but managed to graduate high school; was briefly married to his high school sweetheart; worked as a security guard after graduating high school (Seasons 4–5; recurring Seasons 1–3) Tyler Foster (Marquise Wilson) – Mark's next-door neighbor, whom Mark saw as an annoyance in the first two seasons and saw as a son in later episodes; was best friends with Nicole Lee after she is introduced; he had a crush on Vanessa, which was referenced to several times, but also was briefly infatuated with Geneva (Seasons 2–5; recurring Season 1) Recurring Coach Ricketts (Roger E. Mosley) – Coach of the Oakbridge Penguins boys' basketball team; once served in the Army (Season 1) Issac (George Lemore) – One of Mark's students in his P.E. class (Seasons 1–2) Andre Bailis (Christopher Carter) – One of Mark's students and player on the Oakbridge Penguins boys' basketball team (Seasons 1–2) Thaddeus White (Dominic Hoffman) – Vanessa's boyfriend in season two, who Mark disliked (Season 2) Bennie (Don Cheadle) – One of Mark's friends, who was not very bright; had a crush on Vanessa (Season 2; appeared in one Season 3 episode portrayed by Ruben Paul) Chet Corley (Ron Canada) Was briefly named head coach of Oakbridge High boys' basketball team after Mark forfeits the position due to not returning P.J.'s calls about the offer; he leaves to coach a college team and names Mark as his replacement (Season 3) Eric Thompson (Kristoff St. John)