Greeneville City Schools, Greeneville High School and our Athletic Department are excited today to announce Dan Hammonds as the new head football coach.  Coach Hammonds graduated from Emory and Henry College in 2004 with a bachelor in physical education and was a football captain for the Wasps during his college career.  He continued his education at Tusculum University earning a Master’s in Education in 2006 and later receiving an Education Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University in 2007. Coach Hammonds has been on staff with the Greene Devils serving as a PE, Driver’s Education and Science teacher, as well as serving as both a position coach and defensive coordinator for 14 seasons.  The Greene Devils have won four state championships and twelve conference championships during his tenure.  He also spent a season coaching at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School.  Coach Hammonds has a passion for student athletes and their total development, he is looking forward to continuing the success of Greene Devil football.   Coach Hammonds was quoted as saying, “I’m honored to be able to continue to serve this community, our school, our student athletes and this football program in the capacity of head football coach.  This has been a program built by the work of many people and we look to being able to continue that success both on and off the field.” 

Greeneville High School principal Patrick Fraley commented “Since Jan 18th, when we started this process, the committee has been focused on finding the correct person to carry on the success of our program in its entirety. Factoring in the academic, character development, leadership and athletic sides of the equation, we feel that we have accomplished this with the hiring of Dan.  He has served our community, school and players for many years and has a very good grasp on what that culture entails. The process was very thorough and I am sure, quite exhausting for the candidates, we have the utmost confidence that Coach Hammonds is ready, willing and able to keep moving the Greene Devils forward toward continued success.” Director of Greeneville City Schools Steve Starnes added, “We are excited and honored to announce the appointment of Mr. Dan Hammonds as the Head Football Coach for the Greeneville Greene Devils. Dan is a fourteen-year veteran of the program and has already played an instrumental role in the team’s success. He enjoys a special bond with the players and the other great coaches on staff. We believe Coach Hammonds is the right person to carry on the rich traditions and ensure the continued success of Greene Devil Football. He is also an exemplary classroom teacher with a heart to serve students in any role he plays. We ask our community to join us in welcoming Dan and in supporting him going forward.”   Greeneville High Athletic Director Brad Woolsey said “We are excited to have Coach Hammonds take the helm of our football program.  With the staff that is in place and his leadership, we expect the football program to continue to excel on and off the field.  

Education-based athletics is ultimately about providing opportunities for our student-athletes to develop transformational relationships with coaches and teammates that positively influence the trajectory of their lives.  We know that this will continue with Coach Hammonds and his staff.” Rising Senior Football Captain Ty Youngblood remarked, “I am thrilled Coach Hammonds was chosen to be our head football coach!  His work ethic and knowledge of the game is remarkable.  I know the Greene Devil Football program is in good hands and I have no doubt he can lead us to another successful season.”
 

Coach Hammonds, Mr. Fraley and Coach Woolsey met this morning with the football staff to discuss the decision with them.  Coach Hammonds will be with his team in the morning for their 6:30AM workouts. His duties as head coach will begin then.  The Administration would like to also convey a tremendous debt of gratitude to Coach Adam Hansel who has served since Jan. 18th in the role of Interim Head Coach and to the entire staff for remaining trustful, maintaining the culture and positively navigating this transition seamlessly.