Former Dallas Cowboy and Tennessee Vol Bill Bates Headlines This Weekend’s C-N Coaches’ Clinic

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Eagle head coach Ken Sparks and the Carson-Newman football coaching staff will hold their 21st Annual Championship Coaching Clinic beginning on Friday at the Music Road Hotel and Inn in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Former Tennessee Vol and Dallas Cowboy Bill Bates will be the clinic’s keynote speaker.

“We’re excited about our 21st clinic,” said Sparks, who begins his 31st season at Carson-Newman this fall. “We’re grateful Bill (Bates) is willing to spend his time at our clinic. He’s been tremendously successful as a player and coach, and we’re excited to have him join us.”

Bates played for Sparks at Farragut High School in 1977 and 1978. He would later go on to play at the University of Tennessee, and become an All-Pro for the Dallas Cowboys.

The two coached together earlier this month in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game.

Baylor head coaching legend Grant Teaff is also scheduled to speak. He coached at Baylor for 21 seasons, leading the Bears to four bowl wins and two Cotton Bowl appearances.

The Carson-Newman coaching staff will also speak throughout the weekend, including offensive coordinator Mike Turner, whose split-back veer option offense has led Division II in rushing in two of the last three seasons.

Also speaking at the clinic are Naples (Fla.) High School head coach Bill Kramer, Highland Park (Tex.) High School head coach Randy Allen, nationally-known motivation speaker Dr. Farris Jordan, and chaplain Ken Smith.

Carson-Newman will practice on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Burke-Tarr Stadium as part of the clinic.

Registration for the event is still open. The clinic begins Friday evening and concludes on Sunday morning. For information, call (865) 471-3466.