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UPDATED: Lynn Camp begins search for next head basketball coach
Posted On 15 Jul 2015
As of this time, Eric Swords is no longer the head coach of the Lynn Camp High School boys basketball program.
Reports began circulating on social media Tuesday that Swords had been removed from his position as the school’s head basketball coach, and on Wednesday morning Lynn Camp Athletic Director Danny Green confirmed that those reports are true.
“We didn’t feel like the basketball program was going in the direction that we wanted it to go,” Green said in a phone interview Wednesday. “Mr. Pennington (Anthony Pennington, LCHS Principal) made the decision to post an opening for the head coaching job, and has invited Coach Swords to reapply.”
Green said that a meeting took place on Tuesday where he and Pennington made several suggestions to Swords for changes that they would like to see take place within the Wildcats’ basketball program. According to Green, Swords was not receptive to the changes that were suggested. At this point, Green said that Swords was informed of the decision to open up the head coaching position at Lynn Camp and begin exploring other options for the future.
“We met and discussed some changes that could be made to improve the program,” Green explained. “And he (Swords) refused.”
Green said that applications are now being accepted for the vacant basketball head coach position at Lynn Camp, adding that two applicants have already put in for the job. This will be a quick process, however, with interviews planned for the weekend and an announcement pertaining to the hiring of a new head coach expected on Monday, July 20.
“We are going to get this done and remedy the situation,” Green said. “Right now our basketball team has no direction, and that just isn’t fair to the kids.”
Green again stressed that anyone is welcome to apply for the open head coaching position, including Swords, but so far he has declined to do so. In two seasons as the Lynn Camp basketball head coach Swords compiled an overall record of 18-40.
When contacted about the situation Wednesday evening, Coach Swords said that he intends to fight to keep his job, both as a teacher and a coach, at Lynn Camp High School. "This is illegal," he said. "And I am going to fight it, even if I have to go through the courts."
Swords, who was not relieved of his teaching duties at Tuesday’s meeting, has also been serving as the school’s cross country coach. He said that he was told he could still keep that position, but he learned soon thereafter that it had been posted as vacant as well.
As for his refusal to reapply for the basketball head coach position, Swords denied that claim, saying, "I did reapply for the position in May, just like I am supposed to do each year."
Swords declined to comment any further on the situation at this time, but reasserted that his wishes are to remain at Lynn Camp, and he will fight the decision made by school officials to remove him from his position as a head coach at the school.
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Jennifer referenced the middle school softball program which was a complete JOKE.
Jennifer,
I don’t know when you left LC, but LC girls softball was district runner up and competed in Region for the first time in 20 years???
This is terrible and definitely NOT the first time this has happened. In Pennington’s own words, “We have to take care of our own.” PGirls Middle School Softball lost their head coach but the Assistant Coach was ready to step up but Pennington had his own boy to put in that position. But unfortunately, Gregory wasn’t able to take over and these girls were left without direction. Instead of “taking care of your own” maybe you should take care of these kids education. The principal has no business in the sports programs unless he thinks Danny Green isn’t doing his job. Really wish this must attention was given to the kids education. I moved my kids to another school district and two of them were taught how to actually read in less than half a year and the youngest is among the top in her grade. This is the issues Mr. Anthony Pennington needs to be concerned with. If the kids like the Coach, leave them alone and ensure your teachers are actually teaching.
You are right. You don’t know anything.
As a retired high school teacher, I can say that time and again I have witnessed decisions being made without the children’s best interest taken into consideration. I am highly suspicious when the players, as well as,their parents, are not allowed to express their opinion/s.
I can only speak as a mother of a child Eric not only coached my son in ball but cross country,and I have to say he helped my child in many ways….This man is one of a kind…I believe these kids will not be the same with out Eric. These boys would love to give there thoughts but where told not to in a meeting wensday….Ask the kids what they want because its the kids that are effected by this…..
I don’t know anything about the situation but from this forum, Pennington is the employee that needs to be let go.
I don’t know anything about the situation but from this forum, Pennigton is the employee that needs to be let go.
it is truly pathetic the bad choices that Anthony Pennington is making for Lynn Camp schools!! In addition to this poor choice — he has been letting some of the best elementary level teachers go that LCE — his poor choices are directly impacting what is best for our children. But I don ‘t think that he has the good of ALL of our children as a top priority!— My child won’t be at Lynn Camp Schools again as long as Mr. Pennington works in the Knox County School District
I have known Eric my whole life & none of these things are true. It’s sad when where still goin on the good ol’boy systems.!!! He loves basketball & what he can do for anyone. This is just sad & wrong!!! I hope these people get what they want cause they just lost a great thing!!
I have known Eric Swords most of his life. He loves basketball and I know he loves those kids. He took something that was broken and began to fix it. He has been upbeat and encouraging with his players. I think it is absurd that this has happened to him. A bunch of idiots must have come up with this idea.
Pennington is the problem with the sports program. You get on his bad side and he burns you. Saw this with the football program too.
Although I agree that dumping the coach like that is wrong, I high disagree with the typical camper “its the ref’s fault” comment. He should have more time to work with what little athleticism this school offers.
As far as the comment that these players had no direction? These players loved this coach he helped them with just more than basketball! And to just take him away from this team because he didn’t coach the way the directors wanted is in my opinion wrong he had his own of doing his job just like everyone else in the program.
And did they even watch the basketball games the past 2 years?it wasn’t the coach or the players it was the refs that took most games away from these players and coach swords but they always kept their heads and thats because they had a good leader and he taught them respect for the game and each other weather they won or lost.
Years before he was there they would walk off the court with their heads hung down after a loss.
I am Lynncamp proud I graduated from there and I always defend them but this is truly a stupid decision.