Superintendent Dr. Greg Ross told former Danville football coach Clay Clevenger he was “sorry” the school did not do things right when he was fired. (Larry Vaught Photo)
It was about 18 months ago that Danville High School football coach Clay Clevenger was unexpectedly fired by then Supt. Tammy McDonald.
Her reason — to take the program another direction.
That set off a wave of protest here because Clevenger had guided Danville to the 2017 Class 2A state title and a runner-up finish in 2016. His eight-year record at Danville was 65-32 and he sent more players to play college football than Danville had in years. He also had a special connection with Danville’s African-American community.
If that wasn’t enough, the 1996 Danville graduate had also played on state championship teams in 1992 and 1994 for the Admirals before having an All-American career at Carson-Newman.
Clevenger, a 1996 DHS graduate, also played on two unbeaten state championship teams for his alma-mater – he was a freshman in 1992 and junior on the 1994 team.
His firing led to long-time bowl sponsors dropping their sponsorships, assistant coaches leaving and no one connected with the school willing to give any answers.
That’s why Tuesday night was so refreshing when recently hired superintendent Dr. Gregory Ross admitted the school system made a mistake in the way it treated Clevenger. He did so at a public forum where he met with citizens (he also had a similar forum last week) who never had a chance to have any input with the previous administration.
Ross answered questions that were submitted before the forum but during his discussion on athletics, he spoke directly to Clevenger who was at the meeting with his wife, sister and mother.
“Coach we did not do things right and I am sorry,” Ross said.
Not everyone would have the courage to do that but Ross did. Also remember he was not part of the firing decision but said “we” rather than “they” to show he’s willing to take ownership of what happened.
“We have to heal and admit we did not do things right,” Ross said. “I want us to all fall in love with Danville athletics. I want us to get to a point where we admit we messed up and move forward.”
“I am hoping we can buy into making Danville successful.”
Say amen not only Danville football fans but everyone connected with Danville schools because there is still a lot of healing needed after student and teacher defections the last few years. Ross understands that and how athletics can help a school system heal and move forward.
He admitted since Clevenger’s firing there had battles split two or three directions in the system and he wants everyone just to support Danville.
“I am asking you to unify our actions and words to be on the same page and focus in the same direction,” he said.
He also said he would do his best to hold everyone “accountable” but do it with “love.”
No, Clevenger is not getting his coaching job back. Mark Peach was hired as Danville’s football coach last year and Clevenger is now an assistant coach at Centre College. However, Clevenger remained on staff at Danville High School and has no desire to leave Danville.
Thanks Dr. Ross for at least acknowledging that firing Clevenger was a mistake and maybe that will allow a school system that has been trending the wrong way in some directions a chance to get moving forward again.
8 Responses
Sounds like something out of Washington DC
It is. Purely political in matter and this just a show. There is something much deeper to this story — something only those involved know. And so are the Days of Our Lives……
There is a social swamp of people-pleasers in the city of Danville. All the folks that were against BoCo for years recently have now taken flight to the very school system they HATED because it has been a success story, especially in football when Chuck Smith was head coach, and now with Justin Haddix at the captain’s helm.
You know the old adage……if you can’t beat them, run like hell and join up with them.
Yea those people aren’t loyal will always be bums in my eyes
Now Mark Peach just needs an apology from Anderson County
Thanks Larry for this report, it’s good to see Danville made some changes. I’m not going to say what transpire to coach Clevenger , I will say this what happen to him was no issues at my alumni when he coach at Henderson Co. One of top largest school system in the state.. My opinion
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Why does everything have to result to political it’s obvious the previous person there was just to mess everything up and as far as Boyle goes as many players as they are getting that are not from danville it’s more like if you can’t beat em go get players like them I hate it when folks go out there I think it’s a shame
I heard that Clay Clevenger got a bum deal, and that’s messed considering his compliments as both a former star center and as a head coach.
He did but that was four years ago. He’s doing great at Somerset now and hopefully Stonebraker can help right the ship at Danville.