CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The National Christian School Association announced on Thursday that Clarksville Christian head girls’ basketball coach Trenton Hassell was awarded the 2025 NCSA National Coach of the Year Award.
The award is given to the best coach in the nation across all Christian schools and their sports annually. Clarksville Christian School held a surprise ceremony on Thursday to honor him.
“I was shocked when I walked in, and if I had known it was happening, I would’ve found a way to get out of it,” said Hassell. “I’m blessed with a great support system, from the people who’ve been with me since I grew up, to my family, to my girls, to the school in general.”
The ceremony had a number of notable attendees, featuring Clarksville Christian head boys’ basketball coach and former APSU basketball player Drake Reed, APSU Interim Director of Athletics Jordan Harmon, and former NBA first-round pick Ervin Johnson.
Speakers at the event included APSU men’s basketball coach Corey Gipson, City Mayor Joe Pitts and County Mayor Wes Golden, National Christian School Association President Andrew Baker, Hassell’s former coach at Austin Peay in Dave Loos, and Clarksville Christian Athletic Director Jason Shelton.
“Hassell and these ladies represent our school in a way that you want it to be done,” said Shelton. “These girls are a great example of great young people. Here, the name Clarksville Christian girls’ basketball, the coaches instill in them that it means something. It’s a positive for our program, and a huge recognition for our school.”
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“Whenever someone asked me what type of team I had every year, I told them to wait 10 years to see what they do in life,” said Loos. “Hassell is an outstanding example and has checked all the boxes. He is a great coach, but also a great husband, father, and friend. I’m not surprised at all that he received this award.”
Hassell and the Lady Centurions are coming off their fourth consecutive national title, led by two of the top-ranked players in the class of 2027, Lauren Hassell and Marley Spires. Lauren said that she was happy for her coach to win the award, but more importantly, for her dad.
“I’m blessed to be a part of his journey,” said Hassell. “Even though he’s watching me grow as a player, I get to watch him grow as a coach and as a dad. Some days are worse than others coming home with your coach, but he’s teaching me how to grow as an athlete and as a person.
“He has such an impact on his players because so many people keep coming back who played under him to support. It’s pretty amazing to see what he’s done for his players, this school, and this community.”
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