ldcoach

The position has not even been posted yet, so any names are pure speculation. There have been a number of applications received, but no selection committee has even been chosen yet. There is a lot of hope or speculation or interest or whatever, but decisions are still very much in the preliminary stages. I am willing to let the process run its course.

The selection committee was shaped by the School Board Chair who is close to the Kerr family. By shaped I mean that members not on board with the Kerr selection were dismissed from the committee. Even then, many of the committee members thought they had made a choice, but the Chairman basically overrode their choice. If you ask committee member, especially those dismissed, they can confirm this. It will be interesting to see what happens should this season continues as it has begun.

'92 Clinton High team lost in the state finals to Gallatin. Coached by Jimmy Gaylor and led by one of the best running backs I've seen, Scotty Whitt. Beat Larry Kerr Halls team twice in the final game of the season and again in the semi-finals. and defeated Riverdale in the quarterfinals. I would say this was Gaylor's best Clinton team.

I don't know if the Clinton faithful can swallow that decision. I do hear that Daddy Kerr is bending the ear of the Chairman of the Anderson County BOE to try to help out his son. I don't think that people on the south end of the bridge will deal with well with Dr. Burrell selecting an AC product for the Clinton job. You would have to think that Daddy and others would play a prominent role in the coaching of the team. I think this might bring about a major uprising from many of the Dragon faithful. Kerr's appointment as an assistant created some strong ripples with the Dragon family. I don't know if the powers that be want to deal with the waves that would follow a Kerr hiring as head coach. Best of luck to the committee and their choice. The Dragon program needs a well-considered and wise choice at this point.

Andy Shattuck resigned this afternoon as Football Coach at Clinton HS. He cited family reasons for his decision, and that he wanted more time away from football after 17 years of coaching. Best of Luck, Coach.

I'm sure we all appreciate your tongue in cheek comment. At the very least, it is a horrible rule which needs to be changed. In any case, it was enforced incorrectly. It should have either been Oak Ridge ball at the point of "illegal catching" by the Clinton player or a penalty enforced to Clinton with a re-kick. There was no Oak Ridge player in the same zip code to interfere with as called by the officials. As this rule is written, a receiving player would have to be given a free opportunity to catch such a kickoff even if he does not signal for a fair catch. Remember also, this is a free ball after ten yards, not in the same category as a punt. Whether it was Clinton, Oak Ridge, or whoever, this rule gives an unfair advantage to the receiving team.

I can only echo some of the comments posted regarding the man that LC has chosen to remove. I have seen him work tirelessly putting on summer camps not only to improve his team, but to raise funds for the promotion of his program. He has established long-standing relationships with other coaches, players, and even some officials. He spoke his mind when he felt things needed to be said, whether the target was TSSAA, parents, officials, his administration, or his own team. He has remained true to his core beliefs and to his philosophy of basketball. We are in a period when many of the key characteristics that were formerly valued in a coach seem to make little difference. It is apparent to an outsider that Coach Lee either didn't stroke the right back, play the right people, or bend to the right train of thought. As has already been posed, he simply sought to do the right thing for his team and his players. For a high school coach, I can think of little that can be stated that could be a higher compliment to a coach. It is indeed sad when disgruntled followers of the program can instigate the retirement of such a coach with seemingly little support from his own administration. Joe, I know you're going to enjoy your free time for the first summer in 37 years. Sit back, forget the hot gyms, the nagging nay-sayers and enjoy a cool drink, all the time knowing YOU DID IT THE RIGHT WAY! I'll see you down the road.

I don't have a problem with any one of the officials involved. I have a major problem with the policy that opens the officials to the POSSIBILITY of unfair criticism and question in an effort to save $. With all the money earned Friday night, it would seem that T$$AA could pony up the cash to eliminate putting these men in this position frequently with people they see every week or go to church with. It indeed was a good crew, but they were put in an unnecessary position for possible criticism.

Do you want the names of the officials? The referee was Stan Huff. Does that sound familiar? These officials were from the same officials association that BOTH schools use all season long! With the 50% T$$AA made, they could have done BOTH schools the favor of having playoff officials and removing ANY question of bias. I don't think there was any bias or favoritism shown either team, but it seems that T$$AA is raising questions that don't have to be opened by using this policy. It is surely one that needs to be changed for ALL concerned.

My question precisely! TSSAA gets 50% of the gate and since AC and Clinton use the same association to officiate, they needed to save money? The crew for the game are the same officials used by both teams during the season. Come on TSSAA--are things that bad??? At least give both teams a new crop of zebras with no memories and no chance to be presumed biased. TSSAA needs to change this policy--surely they can afford it with what they made Friday night!

Just to put everyone's hearts and minds at ease... the Clinton Recreation department has done a great job on the field and there is ZERO chance of the game being moved. I drove by today and they are putting the field markings on the field as we speak. The Rec department, Clinton HS, and a number of loyal Dragon fans needed to be thanked for their efforts to make this field as good as possible. Dragon Pride lives in a lot of hearts!

There is a familiar ring to a lot of what you hear. Just know that this young man did not get "special benefits" because of some imagined superstar status. He was not an athlete that was a game changer in any sport he participated in--he tends to follow his own path which sometimes runs afoul of the standards for everyone else but him. Remember that familiar ring?? Someone at TSSAA just might want to send those two special investigators out to the friend's parents that he is currently living with in Jefferson County. Ring, Ring, Ring!!

The is called Plan Z, which is about the appropriate grade for this nonsense. I'm hoping, even though most contracts are for two years, the power that be will tweak this thing, maybe even out the door, and get some reasonable playoff plan in place. The whole system is convoluted, creating havoc for coaches and fans to try to understand. Obviously, they were not the only ones--when Bernard Childress has to write a mea culpa letter the very first year (after a live state-wide radio broadcast) you know you have a PROBLEM!! Fix it TSSAA or I think some Board of Control members or Legislative Council members will be hearing it more than they already are!

There is much that may never be known about this situation because of student privacy issues, but even TSSAA admits this was a "technical" violation. Now, it's a done deal. TSSAA has ruled, and like it or not, it's time to move on and "survive and advance" in the playoffs. Go Dragons!

I really don't think you want to go there. This is coming from Anderson (Campbell) County??? If you ask anyone about illegal and recruited players, there is one name that comes up most frequently. I can assure you that it isn't Clinton. As for all the players in the same zip code, you might want to check your quarterback that lives in Lafolllette two blocks from a Clinton High School teacher. Let's really don't get into pots and kettles calling each other black!

To my un-official understanding (my son was a kicker)--the ball is dead if the impetus of the kick caused the ball to go into the endzone. It is a touchback and comes out to the 20.

Somebody ought to checking out Cody Houck at Clinton. She is a rebounding demon and developed her game to the point where she has a legit 3-point shot. She is a hard worker and plays stronger and bigger than her 5'10' size. You'll hear more about her as the season goes on!

I don't care if it was Clinton, Powell, or whoever!! The high school hurdling penalty is a crock! What's the difference in the danger a wide receiver takes in going up into the air for a pass and a runner jumping over a defender laying on the ground or diving for his feet. Let's remember--this is football. I know that this is a National Federation rule, but come on guys. It's time to make some changes. Today's athletes are too good to hinder their abilities with an archaic rule like the hurdling penalty!

In both a team camp and individual camp it is the responsibility of the camper to pay the camp fees. Schools may provide transportation to camp, but cost of the camp is left to the camper. It IS a violation of TSSAA rules for the school to pay the cost for the camper.

I just looked at the sample brackets and it appears to me that that the new pairings have some changes. The 1st and 2nd place district winners play at home for the first round of the regional against the 3rd and 4th from the other district. These two winners then play in the second round which would conceivably pit 1st and 2nd from the same district against each other in the second round of the regional. I had not noticed this change but it would certainly play a role in the thinking that is up for discussion. I guess the feeling that this should pretty much guarantee a 1st or 2nd from each district in the regional final. Hmmm!

Whoa, UGA. You're spouting a lot of venom at a whole town aren't you. I know that you're upset, but don't blame everybody for what happened, and you need to take your reference to bombing and stick that in your back pocket. All programs have fans that cross the line and bring discredit to the good fans. I'm sure not all the Oak Ridge fans behave in a perfect manner, particularly two OR booster club moms that get in a fight in the women's rest room. I personally think that the actions of these individuals detract from the great Clinton win, but let's tone down the rhetoric and venom.

Any word on why Potts resigns at this time. I mean, he resigns on Friday and practice starts on Monday. Something must have been working for a long time or just reached a boiling point now!! Any news on why now ??? In any case, best of luck to a great guy and a better coach than he is given credit for!!

FYI--- Coach Tonya Snyder completed her season at Clinton with a 14-13 record this year, playing primarily freshmen and sophomores. She enjoys a great relationship with her players and is looking forward to next season with the return of her entire roster except for one graduating senior. She seems to be on the way to turning things around in Clinton!

Two players were injured in a wreck due to the icy roads over the weekend. Both are doing fine, although one required about 8 stitches around the eye. Thanks for the interest--rivalries don't always have to be ugly!

I think you have hit on some of the debate that many people have with Bobby Knight. How much of what a coach does is acceptable if there is success in the program? I think we have to remember that these are teenage student athletes and the coach is supposed to be the adult. Yes, there are times when criticism is necessary--that's part of coaching and there are even times when personal criticism is necessary, but there should be limits. As a teacher and a role model, there have to be some limits to how far we go in trying to bring the most out of an athlete. Every player is different and I have personally seen some players trying to compete with tears in their eyes after a time out huddle with the coach. I guess the bottom line is how much are you willing to accept in the pursuit of winning and success?