Clinton High School has a new interim head football coach.
Clinton High School announced that Jason Hamock is the new coach for the Dragons, in a news release issued by the Anderson County school system Thursday afternoon.
Hamock, a former coach, has agreed to coach the Dragons for one year to allow for an extensive search for the next head coach of the Clinton High football team, the release stated.
Clinton football coach Darell Keith’s contract was not renewed earlier this week after being reportedly linked to a school investigation in which students are believed to have had their grades changed, and as such, at least one of Keith’s football players was ineligible to have played in the 2023 season. Because of the violation, the TSSAA ruled that Clinton will be fined $250 – the maximum allowed for this violation – because the athlete participated in 13 games. TSSAA bylaws also require that Clinton should forfeit all of those games.
Keith, who coached for four years at Clinton, denied any involvement in which he was accused of requesting a player’s grades to be altered in an interview with Knox News. He also noted that he was unaware that the player was academically ineligible during the 2023 season.
New interim Coach Hamock has served as the offensive coordinator for the Dragons for the last 10 years, according to the release. He retired from coaching earlier this year after coaching football for more than 23 years. His coaching career has included multiple positions on the coaching staff at Clinton Middle School, including head coach, and eight years on the coaching staff at Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville.
New Principal Robbie Herrell said, “Pure and simple, Jason is a servant leader and that is what we need at Clinton High School. Coach Hamock prioritizes the needs of others above his own. His commitment to fostering a supportive team culture, coupled with his dedication to the personal development of each player, sets him apart as an outstanding servant leader.
“I know that Coach Hamock through his compassionate guidance and selfless approach to coaching, will inspire and empower his players to reach their full potential on the football field and in class each day,” Herrell is quoted as saying in the release.
Herrell, named principal Wednesday, is replacing Dan Jenkins, who resigned earlier this year as the investigation unfolded into the alleged changing of students’ grades to allow them to graduate and leave the school. Since then, several members of Clinton High’s staff have either resigned, been suspended, or not had their contracts renewed for the coming school year. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating the allegations.
Hamock currently lives in Clinton with his wife Danielle and has two children, daughter Paige and son Teegan, with a granddaughter on the way. He worked for the U.S. Department of Energy for 17 years and now works for Rocky Top Erosion Control. He and his wife are currently working on reopening one of Clinton’s most well-known eateries. Formerly known as Hamock’s Perkadeli, the eatery will be known in the future as Hamock’s.
The release said Hamock is not doing interviews and has issued the following statement to the media:
“As the newly appointed coach of the Clinton High School football team, I am honored and excited for the opportunity to lead this team. However, I want to make it clear that at this time, my top priority is the well-being and development of our players.
“While we will be achieving success on the field this year, right now my primary focus is on fostering a supportive and nurturing environment where our players can thrive both athletically and personally. This means prioritizing their physical and emotional health, and ensuring that they feel valued and supported as individuals.
“I firmly believe that a strong team is built on a foundation of trust, respect, and unity. As such, my coaching philosophy centers around cultivating a culture of teamwork, inclusivity, and mutual support.
“I am committed to working closely with our players and community to create a positive and empowering experience for everyone involved in and around this program. Together, we will strive for excellence in the classroom and on the field, while also prioritizing the overall unity of our team members.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as the head coach at Clinton High School, and I look forward to the journey ahead with each and every member of my team and this community with ultimate optimism and enthusiasm.”
The Oak Ridger’s News Editor Donna Smith covers Oak Ridge area news. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter@ridgernewsed. Toyloy Brown III, a Knox News sports reporter, contributed to this story.
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