A once-celebrated football coach is crying foul after losing his job amidst a grade-changing scandal that has rocked Clinton High School. Darell Keith, the former head coach who is no stranger to the cut-and-thrust of high school football, finds himself on the sidelines after being axed over allegations he was involved in doctoring students' grades to maintain their athletic eligibility. Keith has called the accusations bogus, claiming he's been unfairly targeted as a scapegoat in a scheme he says he had no part in.
Reports from the WVLT News state that more than a thousand grade changes are at the center of the inquiry, spotlighting former principal Dan Jenkins and teachers Rachel Jones and Clay Turpin. Despite Keith's adamant defense, the Anderson County School System decided not to renew his contract following the forfeiture of all of 2023's wins owing to an ineligible player on the roster. This move has taken a toll on Keith's reputation and career.
Meanwhile, the community, players, and parents are upset over Keith's unceremonious exit. "He is literally a father away from home," Clinton football player Bo Wright told WBIR, underscoring the deep bond and respect many felt for Keith. Onlookers and those closest to the program remember his dedication and the significant impact he has made over his four-year tenure, his departure leaving large cleats to fill.
The scandal is detailed in documents obtained by Knox News, with implicating information surfacing against two former teachers who have since been shown the door. The documents reveal that Rachel Jones admitted to changing grades at the behest of Keith, an accusation the coach fervently denies. "This lady changed (485) grades and her word is golden," Keith told Knox News, expressing disbelief over the weight his accuser's word carries against his own. He expressed his anguish by comparing his treatment with other coaches, stating, "I’ve watched coaches get not fired for having DUIs, for doing all kinds of foul stuff. I guess it's two standards in Knoxville."
As the dust settles on this academic impropriety upheaval, Keith, a military veteran and once a stalwart figure at the school, looks to clear his name. In an emotional response to WVLT News, he lamented, "I spent 27 years, faithfully in the United States Military... I'm really hurt; I'm really torn up about it." With the legal playbook in hand, Keith plans his next move to combat the allegations and perhaps restore his once-pristine reputation.
