Clarksville, Tenn. Clarksville Academy, a Pre-K through 12th grade private college preparatory school, is embarking on a new athletic era. Head of School Dr. Kay Drew announced Friday, March 24, 2017, that John David Sellers would join the Clarksville Academy family as Head Football Coach. Sellers joins CA after coaching collegiately at Austin Peay State University. “We could not be more excited to welcome Coach Sellers and his wife, Kristin to the Clarksville Academy family,” Drew said.
The search to find the new head coach for Clarksville Academy was a strategic one. It was important to find the perfect person to fit within the Cougar community. Dr. Drew stated, “When we began our search for a new leader of our football program, we wanted a coach who shared our values, who had demonstrated strong football knowledge, who showed a true commitment to developing the overall student-athlete, and who we believed could lead Clarksville Academy football to become a premier program in Tennessee. We found all of that, and more, in Coach Sellers, and I know he will be a perfect fit with our school community.”
Coach Sellers comes to CA after a seven year stint as Assistant Coach at Austin Peay State University. He was a three-year quarterback on APSU’s team during his undergraduate career and transitioned to Student Assistant Coach for his final two years. Upon graduating from APSU with a degree in Health & Human Performance, Sellers took on the role of Director of Football Operations and Recruiting Coordinator. Sellers has held the title of Quarterback Coach, Running Back Coach, Director of Football Operations & Recruiting Coordinator as well as being named the Interim Head Coach last year. APSU Athletic Director, Ryan Ivey commented, “J.D. has been a tremendous asset for our university and athletics department. He did an excellent job for us, especially in his time as our Interim Head Coach. I am very excited for J.D. and his family, and I will be watching closely as he achieves great success at Clarksville Academy!” Sellers’ passion for football and seeing his students excel is apparent both on and off the field. Will Healy, APSU Head Football Coach stated, “I’m extremely excited for J.D. and Kristin. As much as we hate to lose him, this is a great opportunity for him and his career. He has been a huge asset for our university and has been instrumental in the buzz that is surrounding Austin Peay Football. He is a phenomenal recruiter, coach, and an even better person. I am looking forward to watching him have tremendous success at Clarksville Academy!”
Sellers will lead the Cougars as they enter new territory in Division II football this fall. With a rigorous schedule competing against teams from as far west as Memphis and as far east as Mt. Juliet, Sellers will prepare our team to take on this new challenge. “Our program requires a very special leader,” CA Athletic Director, Jake Peterson said of Sellers’ commitment for excellence on the field, the classroom, and in the community. “I believe we have found the right person.”
Coach Sellers made this statement about his move to Clarksville Academy, “It is an unbelievable opportunity to be joining the Clarksville Academy family. I want to thank Austin Peay and the Athletic Department for giving me the opportunity to be involved in a strong athletic community. I want to especially thank Ryan Ivey and Will Healy for their support in my chasing the dream of being a head coach at Clarksville Academy. I am excited about the new direction that Clarksville Academy is taking. I believe that Head of School Dr. Kay Drew has a bright vision of new heights that Clarksville Academy can achieve. I’m thrilled and grateful to be the person that she and the CA family have chosen to help lead them through this new journey. I know moving into DII will be a challenge, but it is an opportunity that the school and the people involved are passionate about and I believe the CA community is committed to doing it the right way. I can’t wait to begin working with the players and moving toward the bright future for these young men! My wife, Kristin, and I are excited to be a part of the Clarksville Academy family.
For more information on Clarksville Academy and its athletic programs, please visit www.clarksvilleacademy.com.