CLINTON, Tennessee — Clinton High School is in the midst of a grade-changing investigation.
Two teachers were fired, the principal resigned, the contracts of three guidance counselors were not renewed and the head coach of the football team, Darell Keith, also did not have his contract renewed.
School authorities have given no reason as to why Keith did not have his contract renewed, but the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association punished Clinton for a self-reported infraction of playing an academically ineligible student-athlete last season, and one of the now former teachers accused him of trying to change grades in 2022 for a student, records state.
The team will have to forfeit games from last season. The number of games is still being determined.
WBIR sent a public records request to Anderson County Schools asking for emails between Clinton's athletic director, Nate Martin, to the TSSAA as well as emails from Martin to Keith.
On May 17, Martin sent an email to TSSAA Executive Director Mark Reeves.
"It is with great sadness that I have to report that we believe we have illegally played a player this past football season," he wrote. "This student's transcript reflects only having 5 credits from his previous school year where he would need 6 due to our school system requiring 28 credits to graduate. We humbly request the review of this situation and will ultimately be prepared to suffer whatever consequences. This is not something that was done knowingly or wittingly to attempt to circumvent the rules but ultimately it is my responsibility to ensure that all students are allowed to play. I will wait with patience to hear your answer when you return. Thank you for your time."
Reeves responded to Martin, asking how many games the ineligible player played. He also noted that they would send a formal reply with the penalty as described by the TSSAA bylaws for participation with an ineligible player.
Martin replied back saying to his knowledge the player played in all 13 games. The TSSAA initially told Clinton they'd have to forfeit all of those games, including two playoff wins. Since then, the TSSAA has told WBIR that the number of games is still being determined.
Martin sent another email to Reeves on May 17.
"When this rolls downhill I am going to lose my job but this is not fair," he wrote. "Our school is in the middle of a grade changing scandal that is about to hit national news. This student's transcript has been doctored and the school district has no idea who did that. When I say in our system the student's grades from the previous year, they were changed but yet I am being held responsible for this. This kid's grades have been changed and how my CO is still pushing me out to dry is beyond me. I hope and pray you will look into this further as this is a totally different story. I would never have made that mistake and I would have already reported it if so."
He then asked if he could call Reeves. Reeves gave him his number on May 21, which is the date Anderson County Schools announced Keith would not have his contract renewed.
WBIR also sought emails between Martin and Keith.
On July 14, 2023, Martin sent an email to Keith and other fall sports coaches.
"Next week on Weds. the 26th, is the third day of official practice and the deadline which makes all athletes locked in with Clinton in the fall," he wrote. "Please make a copy of the google sheet template I attached to this email and input that data so input your athletes and mark eligible for this season. If any of your athletes were in grade trouble last year, let me know so I can ensure they passed at least 6 out of 8 classes. Have a great day and Go Dragons."
At the bottom of the email is a link to submit rosters. The link was still active. When clicked on there is no place noted to enter eligibility. It only lists name, year entering in high school and date of birth.
Keith told WBIR last week that eligibility is handled by the athletic director and not the coach. He reiterated that Tuesday in a phone call when asked if coaches had to mark eligible or ineligible when submitting rosters.
WBIR has asked Anderson County Schools who handled the eligibility process and is awaiting an answer.
There are several emails between Martin and the TSSAA where the athletic director handled the eligibility of transfers and other student-athletes for the 2023-24 academic year.