HOT OFF THE PRESS CLINTON U HAS FOUND THEIR GUY

[SouthEast]

Clinton High School has chosen Jason Arnette as its new head football coach following an 'extensive" (haha) interview process that included Rocky Lewis (40-86 all time record) and Adam Scronce.


Arnette most recently served as Clinton’s defensive coordinator during the 2025 season, where his unit showed the steady ability to get ran all over throughout the year. His familiarity with the program and community played a key role in the decision, as school officials emphasized the importance of continuity and leadership moving forward.


Prior to joining Clinton, Arnette spent several seasons at Harrells Christian Academy, where he built a reputation as a disciplined coach with a strong defensive background. His tenure there concluded weeks before the start of the 2024–2025 season, opening the door for other opportunities.

Clinton goes the traditional route again with a Bob Lewis hire.... Works like a charm everytime! Congrats to the Midway Raiders on winning VS Clinton again next Fall!

 

[FootballFan13]

Nothing announced yet, Whats your source?!

 

[SouthEast]

Nothing announced yet, Whats your source?!

Got some friends in the circle at Clinton…. Players have been informed that a coach has been selected and he will be announced soon

 

[Shelby Lion]

Arnette most recently served as Clinton’s defensive coordinator during the 2025 season, where his unit showed the steady ability to get ran all over throughout the year.

I laughed way too hard at this.. well done sir well done

 

[cimsies]

Clinton High School has chosen Jason Arnette as its new head football coach following an 'extensive" (haha) interview process that included Rocky Lewis (40-86 all time record) and Adam Scronce.


Arnette most recently served as Clinton’s defensive coordinator during the 2025 season, where his unit showed the steady ability to get ran all over throughout the year. His familiarity with the program and community played a key role in the decision, as school officials emphasized the importance of continuity and leadership moving forward.


Prior to joining Clinton, Arnette spent several seasons at Harrells Christian Academy, where he built a reputation as a disciplined coach with a strong defensive background. His tenure there concluded weeks before the start of the 2024–2025 season, opening the door for other opportunities.

Clinton goes the traditional route again with a Bob Lewis hire.... Works like a charm everytime! Congrats to the Midway Raiders on winning VS Clinton again next Fall!

Dog and Pony show again...Good post!

 

[PackHorses]

Clinton High School has chosen Jason Arnette as its new head football coach following an 'extensive" (haha) interview process that included Rocky Lewis (40-86 all time record) and Adam Scronce.


Arnette most recently served as Clinton’s defensive coordinator during the 2025 season, where his unit showed the steady ability to get ran all over throughout the year. His familiarity with the program and community played a key role in the decision, as school officials emphasized the importance of continuity and leadership moving forward.


Prior to joining Clinton, Arnette spent several seasons at Harrells Christian Academy, where he built a reputation as a disciplined coach with a strong defensive background. His tenure there concluded weeks before the start of the 2024–2025 season, opening the door for other opportunities.

Clinton goes the traditional route again with a Bob Lewis hire.... Works like a charm everytime! Congrats to the Midway Raiders on winning VS Clinton again next Fall!

Hate to tell you but Johnny Boykin ran the defense not Arnette

 

[HoeyMan79]

I laughed way too hard at this.. well done sir well done

That is no competition for the man.....The Lion!!!! It was pretty good though.

 

[SouthEast]

Official….. post from Clinton AD

 

[fastmandj22]

Now the question looms, where does standout wide receivers Zaire Strickland and Jonah Boone go? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know they do not want to line up at wing back but for what its worth, Jonah Boone is a Hobbton local so if he is fine with playing in the WingT it only makes sense for him to come back home and do it under a Wing T guru in Coach Scronce. As for Strickland, only time will tell, some local schools like Midway and Lakewood can maximize his skillset better than what Clinton will.

 

[SouthEast]

Now the question looms, where does standout wide receivers Zaire Strickland and Jonah Boone go? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know they do not want to line up at wing back but for what its worth, Jonah Boone is a Hobbton local so if he is fine with playing in the WingT it only makes sense for him to come back home and do it under a Wing T guru in Coach Scronce. As for Strickland, only time will tell, some local schools like Midway and Lakewood can maximize his skillset better than what Clinton will.

Zaireeeeeee come to Spiveys Corner....... they have a spot just for you!

 

[Breakdown]

???

 

[Breakdown]

Standouts???

 

[BillsPill]

Now the question looms, where does standout wide receivers Zaire Strickland and Jonah Boone go? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know they do not want to line up at wing back but for what its worth, Jonah Boone is a Hobbton local so if he is fine with playing in the WingT it only makes sense for him to come back home and do it under a Wing T guru in Coach Scronce. As for Strickland, only time will tell, some local schools like Midway and Lakewood can maximize his skillset better than what Clinton will.

Heard Clinton kept their OC.

 

[fastmandj22]

Heard Clinton kept their OC.

Heard that too, but hard to imagine Coach Arnette will not want to switch the offense to more of his style.

 

[BillsPill]

Heard that too, but hard to imagine Coach Arnette will not want to switch the offense to more of his style.

I’m not in the know as I don’t know but a few clinton guys and I live in western part of the state but from what they’ve told me it will still be spread but balanced. Was also told the QB who played for them last year is returning but I’m not in the know.

 

[CDHS1979]

What happened to Coach Boykin?

 

[smalltownfriday]

What happened to Coach Boykin?

"Resigned" if you want to call it that.

 

[BillsPill]

Heard he was going to be an assistant at South View.

 

[BackYardBandit66]

Heard he was going to be an assistant at South View.

Well he will be way better off there than dealing with the Dumpster Fire that is Clinton. New guy will be there 2 years tops.

 

[SouthEast]

Yeah I have seen Boykin is going to SouthView and that the clinton QB is following him there. Clinton gonna have to pay for another QB! Heard the NIL money is rolling in right now.

 

[BuckSweepSports910]

Well he will be way better off there than dealing with the Dumpster Fire that is Clinton. New guy will be there 2 years tops.

Clinton went 6-6 lost 4 of the 6 games by one score or less, return a couple very talented skill players like Jonah Boone and Gavin Miller, 4 outta 5 starting olinemen return, JV had solid season and have some good prospects coming up and middle school went undefeated.

not sure I would classify that as a “dumpster fire” but hey too each it’s own I guess

 

[BackYardBandit66]

Clinton went 6-6 lost 4 of the 6 games by one score or less, return a couple very talented skill players like Jonah Boone and Gavin Miller, 4 outta 5 starting olinemen return, JV had solid season and have some good prospects coming up and middle school went undefeated.

not sure I would classify that as a “dumpster fire” but hey too each it’s own I guess

Well not the Talent, I’m talking about everything else behind the scenes!

 

[Breakdown]

??

 

[BuckSweepSports910]

Always stuff behind the scenes when you have a big booster club and a lot of egos and opinions.

I called Boykin being done after the Wallace game where he basically ignored all his staff when everyone was telling him he needed to make an adjustment.

some coaches are just better as coordinators/position coaches you see it in the NFL all the time. It’s a reason he going somewhere to be an assistant and not the head man. Also gotta wonder did they really want him or just the QB

 

[19yardline]

I'm guessing the Clinton booster club is like many in rural & eastern NC: football drives much of the interest and participation from the "old-timers", but they're often the same guys/gals who'll help run the Special Olympics event, or to park cars at the band festival. It's easy to speculate on an anonymous message board about some Friday Night Lights or All The Right Moves-type situation, but most of it is just chatter from people with a personal agenda. But if somebody has any specifics, always interested to hear.

 

[SouthEast]

I'm guessing the Clinton booster club is like many in rural & eastern NC: football drives much of the interest and participation from the "old-timers", but they're often the same guys/gals who'll help run the Special Olympics event, or to park cars at the band festival. It's easy to speculate on an anonymous message board about some Friday Night Lights or All The Right Moves-type situation, but most of it is just chatter from people with a personal agenda. But if somebody has any specifics, always interested to hear.

The oldheads of Clinton pushed for an alumni hire because of course nobody but a dark horse can really lead such a program (STUPID) Boykin has 12 years of HC experience and only 3 winning seasons, never won more than 7 games in a season... I am not sure but maybe theres a reason his resume looks like that? Clinton is one of the best jobs to take in the state due to a few things first off the 12 month paid salary, two 12 months employee slots for assistant coaches, its a city school not county school.... the advantage of being a city school is not talked about enough! They are a one high school system, they got recruit all they want because what you're gonna tell on them for taking your player? All they have to do is "send" their school social worker to said kids "house" and say yeah he and his family live their. County schools this is not a very simple thing to pull off obviusly. Now that all that is out the way you mean to tell me the best man for the job was a man with at the time a 39-66 record? No sustained success anywhere? I don't think so.

Okay they hired him what did he proceed to do? Important to support your JV team right? He didn't go to hardly any JV games. Middle school? Barely saw him. Helping kids get recruited? No. Jayden Williams was well on his way to a FCS or even FBS career until who came to town? Boykin. Listen to any of his assistant coaches? No. I know plenty of coaches from that staff that said it was miserable and he would not listen to anything they said. He would live or die by his sword and that showed with mediocre results they had and the 4 losses by less than one score. If you have seen this Clinton team in person you should know that 6-6 is a dang embarrassment and waste of talent. THEY HAD THE PIECES BUT NOBODY TO PUT IT TOGETHER. They had speed, strength and depth everywhere. Some other things he did that don't shine a good light but thats not my place to share.

 

[SouthEast]

Always stuff behind the scenes when you have a big booster club and a lot of egos and opinions.

I called Boykin being done after the Wallace game where he basically ignored all his staff when everyone was telling him he needed to make an adjustment.

some coaches are just better as coordinators/position coaches you see it in the NFL all the time. It’s a reason he going somewhere to be an assistant and not the head man. Also gotta wonder did they really want him or the qb

That big booster club and the opinions and egos are a threat and can hold clinton back if things don't change. They have to realize its a new day, high school football has changed a lot in the last 10 years even this isn't the old days anymore. The kids are different, the needs are different, the schemes are different. I think Boykin and the QBs dad have a lot of connections. I feel for the kid though I am sure he has made plenty of friends at Clinton, and the offense would've remained the same if he stayed. Now he's got to attend his 3rd HS and learn his 3rd offensive system. Let the kid be a kid man, not a product.

 

[BuckSweepSports910]

One thing I definitely agree with Boykin wasn’t even close to being the guy for the job. Everything you stated was what was told to me by parents,former staff, and some players. Trust and believe South View probably doesn’t have any interest in him other than getting the QB.

 

[19yardline]

The oldheads of Clinton pushed for an alumni hire because of course nobody but a dark horse can really lead such a program (STUPID) Boykin has 12 years of HC experience and only 3 winning seasons, never won more than 7 games in a season... I am not sure but maybe theres a reason his resume looks like that? Clinton is one of the best jobs to take in the state due to a few things first off the 12 month paid salary, two 12 months employee slots for assistant coaches, its a city school not county school.... the advantage of being a city school is not talked about enough! They are a one high school system, they got recruit all they want because what you're gonna tell on them for taking your player? All they have to do is "send" their school social worker to said kids "house" and say yeah he and his family live their. County schools this is not a very simple thing to pull off obviusly. Now that all that is out the way you mean to tell me the best man for the job was a man with at the time a 39-66 record? No sustained success anywhere? I don't think so.

Okay they hired him what did he proceed to do? Important to support your JV team right? He didn't go to hardly any JV games. Middle school? Barely saw him. Helping kids get recruited? No. Jayden Williams was well on his way to a FCS or even FBS career until who came to town? Boykin. Listen to any of his assistant coaches? No. I know plenty of coaches from that staff that said it was miserable and he would not listen to anything they said. He would live or die by his sword and that showed with mediocre results they had and the 4 losses by less than one score. If you have seen this Clinton team in person you should know that 6-6 is a dang embarrassment and waste of talent. THEY HAD THE PIECES BUT NOBODY TO PUT IT TOGETHER. They had speed, strength and depth everywhere. Some other things he did that don't shine a good light but thats not my place to share.

 

[19yardline]

Sincere question b/c i honestly don't know, but what longtime dynasty programs in NC and in particular the smaller, rural ones have maintained success over time by hiring coaches from the "outside"? Just off the top of my head the Reidsvilles, Mt. Airys, East Duplins,Tarbororo's etc. have for years relied on guys who are from the area if not the school, and either wanted to stay or return. And the exceptions I can think of often come to the area b/c of a spouse's career or family need, but not necessarily the allure of the coaching position. A h.s. coach in NC (the ones who put the time in anyway) are paid cents on the dollar for their hours in the classroom/wieght room/film room, mowing grass, etc., and being a h.s. coach is no longer a preferred pathway to college or the pros; most at that level started as college grad assistants or analysts. There have certainly been "inside" hires that didn't work out (CHS apparently case in point), but there's a reason you have a succesful coach like Erik Teague carrying on the trqdition of his father at Reidsville. But again, I'd be interested in hearing about traditionally top programs in NC who have had sustained success by bringing in coaches regardless of ties to the area, if not the school itself.

 

[SouthEast]

Sincere question b/c i honestly don't know, but what longtime dynasty programs in NC and in particular the smaller, rural ones have maintained success over time by hiring coaches from the "outside"? Just off the top of my head the Reidsvilles, Mt. Airys, East Duplins,Tarbororo's etc. have for years relied on guys who are from the area if not the school, and either wanted to stay or return. And the exceptions I can think of often come to the area b/c of a spouse's career or family need, but not necessarily the allure of the coaching position. A h.s. coach in NC (the ones who put the time in anyway) are paid cents on the dollar for their hours in the classroom/wieght room/film room, mowing grass, etc., and being a h.s. coach is no longer a preferred pathway to college or the pros; most at that level started as college grad assistants or analysts. There have certainly been "inside" hires that didn't work out (CHS apparently case in point), but there's a reason you have a succesful coach like Erik Teague carrying on the trqdition of his father at Reidsville. But again, I'd be interested in hearing about traditionally top programs in NC who have had sustained success by bringing in coaches regardless of ties to the area, if not the school itself.

You've got a great point but I think it varies from case to case. I think keeping it in house in those smaller areas is a good idea IF the in house candidates are solid. A lot of the schools you named hire in house people who have been around the program a good while and pretty much pick up where the old HC left off. A lot of times these schools know who the next HC is going to be before the current HC steps down/retires so hes been prepared you know. Reidsville for example they knew for years who was replacing Jim Teague, Jim prepared his son for that opportunity and it was a perfect transition.
Where the in house hiring goes wrong is when there is nobody in house that is qualified for the job...... okay you have former player turned coach, former assistants at your school that apply, or even assistants currently on the staff applying. None of them might be worth a fart so you've gotta go outside and make the right hire. Don't let pride and ego get in the way. Clintons old HC Boykin has proven he cannot win and Clinton hires him because hes alumni. Take the coach search process serious. There are benefits to hiring in house like knowing the community, connections, community pride and all that.... which you wouldn't typically get right away from a outsider.

 

[OutspokenC27]

One thing I definitely agree with Boykin wasn’t even close to being the guy for the job. Everything you stated was what was told to me by parents,former staff, and some players. Trust and believe South View probably doesn’t have any interest in him other than getting the QB.

Not trying to be confrontational here but, Besides the obvious. What makes Jason Arnette the guy? What is on his resume that screams he was the guy for the job?

 

[SouthEast]

Not trying to be confrontational here but, Besides the obvious. What makes Jason Arnette the guy? What is on his resume that screams he was the guy for the job?

Another hometown hire..... but at least he has some success in previous stops. He was at Harrells christian academy for a couple of years and made some championship appearances. I don't think being good at a private school always translates well to public school coaching. Private school you have a pick of the litter roster and some pretty awful competition in some areas and classifications.

 

[OutspokenC27]

Another hometown hire..... but at least he has some success in previous stops. He was at Harrells christian academy for a couple of years and made some championship appearances. I don't think being good at a private school always translates well to public school coaching. Private school you have a pick of the litter roster and some pretty awful competition in some areas and classifications

Again, this is nothing against him, the competition level in the 2nd division of private schools is not high level football especially not for private school. I wish him success but the Clinton fans were very critical of Coach Boykins resume when, again no slight to Arnette because how can he build a resume if he doesn't get a chance...But, you know.

 

[SouthEast]

Again, this is nothing against him, the competition level in the 2nd division of private schools is not high level football especially not for private school. I wish him success but the Clinton fans were very critical of Coach Boykins resume when, again no slight to Arnette because how can he build a resume if he doesn't get a chance...But, you know.

Agreed

 

[Anon1771506657]

One thing I definitely agree with Boykin wasn’t even close to being the guy for the job. Everything you stated was what was told to me by parents,former staff, and some players. Trust and believe South View probably doesn’t have any interest in him other than getting the QB.

 

[Anon1771506657]

One thing I definitely agree with Boykin wasn’t even close to being the guy for the job. Everything you stated was what was told to me by parents,former staff, and some players. Trust and believe South View probably doesn’t have any interest in him other than getting the QB.

What's your beef with JB. Seems personal, cause what has Arnette done that makes him

 

[smalltownfriday]

What's your beef with JB. Seems personal, cause what has Arnette done that makes him

Arnette has won more than 7 games in a season during his career. Johnny or his pal Omar done and made a burner account boys.

 

[BuckSweepSports910]

What's your beef with JB. Seems personal, cause what has Arnette done that makes him

No beef lol just going off what I saw this season and also all the things others told me. Clearly not the only one who thought so. As far as Arnette goes wasn’t he handpicked by Bob Lewis to be his successor before he took the job at Harrells I believe ole Bob has forgotten more about football than most of us know, and during his time as coordinator under Lewis had some really good showings. He has always been heavily involved local rec department and knows the importance of building that pipeline. I think Jason comes in humble and ready for a second chance as a head coach and not the “IM THE SAVIOR OF CLINTON” like I been told the other guy thought he was.

 

[OutspokenC27]

No beef lol just going off what I saw this season and also all the things others told me. Clearly not the only one who thought so. As far as Arnette goes wasn’t he handpicked by Bob Lewis to be his successor before he took the job at Harrells I believe ole Bob has forgotten more about football than most of us know, and during his time as coordinator under Lewis had some really good showings. He has always been heavily involved local rec department and knows the importance of building that pipeline. I think Jason comes in humble and ready for a second chance as a head coach and not the “IM THE SAVIOR OF CLINTON” like I been told the other guy thought he was.

Him being handpicked by Bob Lewis, 10 years ago...That makes him the guy? You still have not said what makes him more qualified than the previous HC? The previous HC came in with the idea that he was the savior of a team that had just made the state championship? That seems extremely outlandish and baseless.