Clinton High School has been navigating the opacity of an academic scandal, but it now seems there's light at the end of the tunnel with the hiring of a new head football coach, Jake Dawson. The announcement was made amid a grade-changing investigation that previously had the school entangled in controversy.
It's been a tough season for the Clinton Dragons, with former head coach Darrell Keith being accused of altering student-athlete grades, a charge later debunked by investigations from the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) and the school system itself. Despite the dismissal, Keith's contract was not renewed, and interim head coach Jason Hammock stepped up to fill the void temporarily. Fresh blood is set to lead the Dragons: Jake Dawson, who has notable stints at Knox Catholic, Heritage, and Powell high schools and as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee, according to WBIR.
Despite earlier claims that had put Clinton High School under the spotlight, a reassessment revealed that the student had been eligible to play during the 2023 season. Consequently, the TSSAA retracted fines against the school, making way for Dawson's fresh start. Meanwhile, the district attorney general’s office confirmed the continuation of the broader investigation into the school's activities, as reported by WVLT.
"I’m a young coach, with a lot of passion for what I do. I’m excited and blessed to have been chosen to be a part of this next era of Clinton Football," Dawson richly expressed his vision for the future in a statement detailed by WYSH Radio. His focus for the program centers around creating an environment where "excellence is achieved through consistency and hard work."
Principal Robbie Herrell mirrored Dawson’s enthusiasm, assuring that the coach's energy and vision resonate well with the school’s values. "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Coach Dawson to the Clinton Dragons family," Herrell said, echoing confidence that under Dawson's leadership, the program will soar to new heights, as cited by WVLT.
