CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Northeast High School announced recently the hire of a new head football coach: Claude Townsend.
Townsend, who has been coaching football since 2004, came to Clarksville after being stationed at Fort Campbell and said he wants to bring discipline to the team.
“Not only do the student-athletes need to stay consistently disciplined on the field, but they need to remember to stay disciplined as their education progresses as well,” he said.
Townsend’s extensive background includes stints as running backs coach with St. Petersburgh High School in Florida, offensive coordinator for the Clarksville Wolfpack, head coach and offensive coordinator for the Tri City Outlaws and most recently Northwest High’s running back coach. He has served as owner and head coach of the Clarksville Rattlers since 2016.
Clarksville Now sat down with Townsend to better understand what the coach is bringing to Northeast’s football program.
Question: What enticed you to take over as HC at Northeast High?
Answer: I have been following the Northeast football program for an extended period of time. Coming into the head coaching role, the roster is full of talent. I am ready to try to maximize their potential and see what the team can accomplish throughout the upcoming season.
Q: How would you describe your leadership philosophy?
A: I plan to be a true leader throughout my tenure as the Northeast football head coach. Coming from a military and assistant coaching background, I have been known to be a servant leader. As this first season unfolds, I plan to transition from a servant leader to more of a transformation leader.
Q: Can you detail how your time as head coach of the Tri City Outlaws and Clarksville Rattlers prepared you for this head coaching opportunity with Northeast?
A: I feel as though I have been groomed for opportunities such as coaching football at Northeast my entire career. The Army, my assistant coaching duties and experience as a head coach helped prepare me for this new position.
Game plan
Q: What offensive and defensive schemes do you plan to implement for the 2022-23 season?
A: The offensive scheme the team will plan to implement is the run and shoot offense. With that being said, I also plan to mix that in with the west coast offense. Now, on defense we plan to implement a mixture of different formations. This includes a 4-2-5 defense as well as a three four defense.
Q: Northeast has a quarterback in Jaiden Puig who has compiled a career total of 4,156 passing yards through 24 games played. Can you speak on what the ability to stretch the field means to the teams play calling capabilities?
A: Jaiden is a very smart quarterback. Not only is he a mobile player, but I view him as a pocket passer as well. He is surrounded by all kinds of different weapons when you look at the team’s wide receivers and running backs. Puig has a chance to make the most of the opportunity this year and show out with the guys who surround him.
Q: What does it mean to have a playmaking, underclassmen in Moses Byrd who had 19 TFL and 8 sacks last season?
A: When you watch Byrd play, he is a very talented athlete. His position versatility will let me connect him with other defensive ends and linebackers. One trait that allows him to make plays behind the line of scrimmage is his play recognition. It will be exciting to see how Byrd grows throughout his sophomore season.