Vanguard School Panthers' Football

Head Football Coach

Gene Clemons M.Ed.  

M.Ed. Urbana University 2008,                                                                                      B.A. Journalism Arkansas Tech University 2004

Coaching/Teaching Experience

Coach Clemons enters his second season at the helm of the third-year program. In his first year Vanguard recorded their first two wins in school history.  

Clemons comes to Vanguard from Urbana University where he served for two years as an assistant football coach and video coordinator. In his first season with Blue Knights he coached the tight-ends and in his second season he coached the defensive line as well as coordinated the kick-off and punt-return teams. His punt return unit produced the number two ranked returner in the nation in division II football.

Prior to joining the Urbana University staff, Clemons spent one season as the head football coach and assistant basketball coach at Randolph-Macon Academy, a military-based boarding school. Along with his athletics duties Clemons also taught English I and Introduction to theatre. In his one season at R-MA Clemons sent three players to college, one earned a division I scholarship.

Coach Clemons began his career at Bridgton Academy, an all male post-graduate boarding school. He spent two years as the running backs and tight-ends coach, dorm director, and teacher. While at BA six of his running backs and five of his tight-ends went on to play football in college. As a teacher he taught English, Basic Writing, Journalism, and African American History in the 1960's.

Prep Career 

As a player from 1995-1998, Clemons was a starter on the football, basketball, and track teams at Vivian Gaither High school in Tampa FL. In his prep career he was the football team's leader in touchdown receptions and yards per reception. He help the basketball team win back to back district championships while averaging nearly a double-double in points and rebounds. On the Track he was an all-conference performer in the high jump and competed in the 200 meters, 110 hurdles, and long jump. His prep career culminated with a western conference team title in track, an event where he scored points in six different events. 

Collegiate Career 

Clemons began his collegiate career in 1998 as a wide receiver at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, MA. In his sophomore season, he helped the team to the most wins in school history (six) and the school record for touchdown receptions (six as well)! That record held for seven seasons until it was broken. Clemons was also a starter on the basketball team and participant on the track team in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump as well as the 4x100 meter dash. 

Clemons enrolled at Arkansas Tech University where he was a member of the football team and played tight end. He played two seasons for the Wonder Boys and was a part of the program rebuild that saw the team achieve a Gulf South Conference championship in 2004.

Coach Clemons teaches English and Journalism at Vanguard!  

 Assistant Coach

 Rob Williams- more info to come

Assistant Coach

 Lance Clelland- more info to come

Head Cheerleading Coach

Kami Land

B.A. Art and Associated Studies University of Evansville

Ms. Land is entering her first full year at Vanguard. She works in residential life and is the dorm parent for Boyd Hall. In just a short time she has developed a great report with the young ladies and she hopes that continues as she begins working with the Vanguard cheerleaders.

The Hopkinsville, Kentucky native is no stranger to boarding school. She attended The Webb School, a residential school in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. She was a cheerleader and soccer player at University Heights Academy. She attended college at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana, where she majored in Art and Associated Studies with a concentration in communications and education.

Ms. Land is dedicated to the goals of Vanguard which include creating comaraderie and school spirit throughout the campus and student body. "I am very excited to be the cheerleading coach at Vanguard this year, and I hope ot increase school spirit and attendance at games."