Larry Gann receives NFF Distinguished Service Award
Larry Gann was honored with a prestigious service award Saturday during a National Football Foundation event in downtown Knoxville.
Gann was one of seven individuals with local ties recognized at the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Banquet at Calhoun’s on the River.
“I joked and said that now, this has all come full circle,” Gann said. “My son was a kicker at Clinton High School, and in 1998, he was one of the student-athletes honored at this banquet. And now, I get this award.”
Gann received the George L. Hunter Distinguished Service Award. A 1966 graduate of Clinton High School, he played basketball for the Dragons, although an injury kept him from playing football.
His son, Chris Gann, was honored at the NFF banquet in 1998.
After attending Carson-Newman University, Gann returned to Clinton to teach American government and U.S. history. He coached the Lady Dragons basketball team and later served as an assistant under Coach Tonya Snyder. Gann also started the Clinton High School softball program.
“I didn’t play football at Clinton, but I played basketball,” he said. “I started the softball team there, and I coached the girls basketball team when we brought it back.”
Gann often wore many hats during his coaching career.
“After school, I’d have to go get the bus and drive our team to games and make sure we got there on time,” he said. “Sometimes at home, I’d announce the starters for the boys games.”
He fondly reflected on the athletes and coaches he encountered during his tenure.
“It’s been a great career when I think about the players I’ve coached and also when I think about some of the coaches and players I’ve coached against,” Gann said.
“I coached against Jerilynn Harper (now Jerrilyn Carroll) when she was at Jefferson County, and I coached against (former Lady Vols player and coach) Holly Warlick when she was at Bearden. I think I also coached against Kellie Harper (now Missouri’s head coach).”
Carroll went on to coach basketball and volleyball at Knoxville Halls High School and led the volleyball team at Webb School of Knoxville before retiring after one season.
Gann also contributed to Clinton High School football as a videographer and longtime public address announcer, serving the program for three decades.
“In my life, I’ve won two honors that have shocked me,” he said. “One was being named to the Clinton High School Wall of Fame, and the other was this one.
“I want to thank Clinton and (athletic director) Josh (Reid) for nominating me. This is a great honor, but you don’t do it for the honors — I do it because I enjoy being around the kids.”
Clinton football players Bo Wright and Lucas Butz were also honored Saturday, along with Anderson County’s Landen Hensley, Eli Dorton, Cody Miller and Connor Isabell.
Larry Gann
