Clarksville Northeast football coach Claude Townsend out after investigation

Northeast football coach Claude Townsend will not return following an internal investigation, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System chief communications officer Anthony Johnson confirmed to the Leaf-Chronicle on Friday morning.

Townsend had been suspended since Feb. 14 while being investigated for "inappropriate contact and communication" with another employee on school grounds, Johnson said.

Johnson said that while CMCSS determined none of Townsend's actions were criminal in nature, "administration felt it was best to move in another direction."

Townsend was hired in February 2022 and coached the Eagles to a 5-6 record in his lone season. Northeast forfeited a September win over Northwest due to using an ineligible player, which the school self-reported to the TSSAA.

Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.