Westview's Matt McConnell named football coach at Camden

Michael Odom
Jackson Sun

Camden named alumnus Matt McConnell as the new football coach, principal Shawn McDowell confirmed on Wednesday.

"It's home," McConnell said. "My parents still live there, so for my kids to get to go back there and get to be with their grandparents, it means a lot to me. That is where I played ball at and where I grew up. Hopefully, I can help these guys learn some life lessons and win a few football games."

McConnell replaces William Blow, who resigned after nine years to focus on being a school administrator.

“We are thankful for Coach Blow’s efforts over the years, and we look forward to supporting a hometown boy that is coming home to coach the football team at Camden Central High School,” McDowell said. “We are excited that he willing to consider coming home and be a part of our program. It says a lot of where our program is right now.”

Westview coach Matt McConnell Looks on as the Chargers played Obion County during a Week 4 football game at UT Martin on Sept. 13, 2019.

McConnell spent this past season at Westview as he got the Chargers back to the Class 3A playoffs with a 6-5 record before losing to Wooddale 54-14 in the first round.

"It was an extremely hard decision," McConnell said. "The moving part is hard because that gets old quick, but the administration here in Martin and how they have treated me and my family, I can't say enough about that. It is a great community. At all of our football games this year, we had great crowds. If it wasn't for my hometown, I would still be here."

He spent the previous five seasons at Waverly, going 50-13 with five playoff appearances. He made two straight appearances in the Class 2A state semifinals with at least a Mr. Football finalist each of those years — Gavin Stanfield won in 2017 and JD Dixon was a finalist in 2018.

This past season, Camden went 4-7, losing to Stratford 34-14 in the Class 3A first round. The Lions' last win in the playoffs came in 2015 against East Nashville, but they have not missed the playoffs since 2002.

"We are just going to go in and try and get these kids to buy in," McConnell said. "We are going to have some different philosophies from what they have had in the past. I have always been a firm believer that there is no substitute for hard work. So we are going to go in and get to work."

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Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.