Henry Clay is welcoming a new head football coach for the 2025 season. Coach Philip Hawkins comes to HC from cross-town rival Bryan Station. He has had a lot of achievements and success there his last season record was 7-5 and has had a state championship appearance. Coach Hawkins came to HC to help fix the reputation of the football program which has suffered from low enrollment since the addition of new schools in the district. Hawkins hopes to help HC football become a prestigious program.
The new coach wants to get HC back to a winning reputation, and hopefully play in some important games.
“The main achievement is to put this program back on a winning path,” Hawkins said. “It’s been quite a while since they’ve won a lot of games in a season, and ultimately, the goal is to win a state championship.”
Hawkins has great standards for the teams that he coaches, and will do whatever it takes to meet that standard.
“I operate my football team like a business,” Hawkins said. “I’m detail-oriented, I have high expectations, and I hold my players accountable. Football requires a little savvy, and I push my players to meet that standard.”
Having good team chemistry is important to have a winning team. The players need to have a great relationship with the coach in order to have a successful year.
“I tell my players that I love them every day,” Hawkins said. “That’s the relationship I build with them. It’s important they understand that everything I do, even holding them to high expectations, comes from a place of love.”
With a new coach and team also comes successful players who can make it to the next level. Hawkins looks to do this for players at HC.
“In the last five years, I sent 57 kids to college from Bryan Station to Division I, NAIA, all levels,” Hawkins said. “I want all my players to have that opportunity. If they play for me, do the right thing in the classroom, and work hard on the field, they can.”
With new players coming in next season and a new head coach, the HC Football team looks forward to a new and improved record next year.
