Dragons look to alum, coaching veteran to move forward in the 2024 season
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The 2024 Dragons will take the field as they always do on football Friday nights. Bust through the banner, run past the band members lined up on each side, and head to the sidelines before a crowd of cheering fans. But the upcom- ing campaign will be under the watchful eye of Clinton alum and veteran coach Jason Hamock. - Tony Cox
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Coach Jason Hamock celebrates the Dragons’ playoff victory over Oak Ridge in November 2023. The win was the first in 14 seasons over the in-county rival, but has now been vacated by the TSSAA after the school reported that an academically ineligible player participated in all 13 games of the 2023 season. - Tony Cox
It didn’t take long for Clinton High School to find its interim football coach.
Jason Hamock was tapped to take the reins as coach of the Dragons. He agreed to serve in the position for the 2024 season, replacing Darell Keith.
In the wake of a grade-changing scandal that has already resulted in the resignation of the principal and firing of some teachers and counselors, Keith’s contract as coach and teacher was not renewed by the Anderson County Board of Education for he 2024-25 school year.
In addition, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association has vacated the Dragons’ seven football wins for the 2023 season because of having an ineligible player on the field.
Keith was head coach at Clinton for four seasons and guided the Dragons to the 2023 TSSAA Class 5A quarterfinals.
Hamock served as Clinton High’s offensive coordinator for 10 years. In a coaching career that has spanned more than two decades, Hamock has held several positions at Clinton Middle School, including serving as the Hawks’ head coach. He also has coached at Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville.
According to an announcement by Anderson County Schools, Hamock “has agreed to coach the Dragons on a one-year interim basis for the players and the community in order to give the opportunity for (an) extensive search for the next head coach of the Clinton High School football team,” school system spokesman Ryan Sutton wrote.
New CHS Principal Robbie Herrell praised the choice of Hamock.
“Pure and simple, Jason is a servant leader and that is what we need at Clinton High School,” Herrell said. “Coach Hamock prioritizes the needs of others above his own. His commitment to fostering a supportive team culture, coupled with his dedication to ... each player, sets him apart as a servant leader.
“I know that Coach Hamock, through his compassionate guidance and selfless approach to coaching, will inspire and empower his players to reach their full potential on the football field and in class each day.”
In a statement, Hamock said he was honored to serve as Clinton’s interim coach.
“As the newly appointed coach of the Clinton High School football team, I am honored and excited for the opportunity to lead this football team,” he said. “However, I want to make it clear at this time [that] my top priority is the well-being and development of our players.
“While we will be achieving success on the field this year, right now my primary focus is on fostering a supportive and nurturing program where our players can thrive both athletically and personally. This means prioritizing their physical and emotional health, and ensuring that they feel valued and supported as individuals.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as the head football coach at Clinton High School, and I look forward to the journey ahead with each and every member of my team and this community,” he said.
