New Football Coaches Named at Clay Co., York Institute

After a one-year hiatus from the high school football sidelines, Bruce Lamb will be back in 2022 as the new head football coach at Clay County High School. And, after two full seasons away from the game, Derwin Wright is returning for a fourth stint as head coach of the York Institute Dragons. Both hires were announced on Tuesday.

Lamb replaces Jake Johnson, after the four-year coach stepped down after the 2021 season to take a position closer to home. Johnson led the Bulldogs to a 10-2 record last season, and an appearance in the second round of the Class 1A State Playoffs where they lost to eventual State Champion, South Pittsburg. Lamb is no stranger to gridiron success, having led Livingston Academy to 10 playoff appearances during his 13-year tenure, from 2008 through 2020. The Wildcats won four Region titles during that time, and compiled an overall record of 87-61. Lamb also served as the head football coach at White County High School, from 1999-2001. His career head coaching record is 95-84, while his playoff record is 8-10.

Wright takes over for Kerry Johnson, who was not retained after the 2021 season. During Johnson’s two-year stint, the Dragons posted identical 3-8 records, and bowed out in the opening round of the playoffs each year. Wright led the Dragons to a 21-14 mark from 2017-19, which included a pair of nine-win seasons in 2017 and 2018. Wright also coached York Institute from 1997-2008, and posted a 67-62 record, and also served as head coach for the 2014 season. Overall, Wright’s cumulative coaching record is 93-82, including a 5-9 mark in the playoffs.