Meet the new Rossview girls basketball coach, Clay Head

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Earlier this week, Rossview High Athletics announced the hire of Clay Head as their girls head basketball coach. Head takes over the Lady Hawks’ basketball program following Justin Woods resignation on March 23.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Head accepted a position with White House Heritage, where he built an extensive coaching resume. He coached in a multitude of different sports before he decided to focus solely on girls’ basketball.

This led the coach to accept the girls’ head basketball coaching position at White House Heritage during 2016-17. According to Max Preps, Head compiled an overall record of 107-70. That included a district record of 41-27.

The Lady Hawks are coming off a successful 2021-22 campaign where they reached the state quarterfinals. The team’s season came to an end against Farragut High. To understand how the team will build off their success heading into the 2022-23 season, Head answered few questions from Clarksville Now.

Getting to know Clay Head

Question: How would you describe your leadership philosophy?

Answer: Coming into this new position, it’s important that the girls and I put our trust in one another. I want the players to understand that I am here with them as we progress together as a team. I will only ask them to do what I believe is the best for the program and themselves. I try to put quite a bit of leadership on our seniors, and I let them run with it throughout the course of the season. Any coach wants his team to be player led, and I always try to give the seniors plenty of opportunity to take ownership of the team.

Q: What enticed you to take the position and what does this opportunity mean to you?

A: Personally, I think everyone wants to compete at the highest levels, whether you are a player or coach. So coming to an area where basketball has such a rich tradition made it an appealing opportunity. The Rossview culture and community support that comes with this position is second to none. Also, I am closer in vicinity to the Clarksville area than my previous job, so I’ll have more time to be closer to my wife and kids.

Q: Can you speak on the importance of player development during the upcoming season after the loss of five productive seniors ?

A: As a coach you’re worried about the entire program. That’s not just your varsity squad, but your underclassmen on the junior varsity and freshmen teams as well. With the amount of seniors the Lady Hawks’ did lose last season, individual development will be key, which we will focus on this summer. Assigning roles will be another priority during the summer. Returning varsity players will be asked to do more based off what was asked of them last year. So the months leading up to the season will be critical for us when it comes to getting to know each other, understanding roles and getting better.

Q: What are some points of emphasis for your players, offensively and defensively, when the 2022-23 season begins?

A: I plan on the team playing hard, scrappy and tough when we take the court. Offensively, we will adjust to whatever we have. If we can play the post with our bigs’ then we will play through them. If we are guard heavy and quick, we will play up-tempo while we get up and down the floor. At the high school level being flexible is important, because you have different groups coming in each year. Defensively, I want us to get up into people, whether we are pressing or playing half court man-to-man defense.

Q: What’s your message to the Rossview community?

A: I want the Rossview community to know I am excited for this new journey. I look forward to building off of what they had, and continuing to grow the game of basketball in the Clarksville area. I am committed to the school in its entirety, and our whole family will be all-in on Rossview as we move forward.