‘Rings’ of truth
Wormsley, offensive brain helping Webb football capture seven state titles, retires; also 2 rings as Hall of Fame baseball coach
Dave Meske, left, Webb athletic director and football head coach, was on hand when Clark Wormsley, former Spartans Baseball head coach, was elected into Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Webb School of Knoxville offensive coordinator Clark Wormsley announced recently he is stepping away from the game after 35 seasons — helping produce seven Spartans state championships — as a fixture with his powerful winged-T offense.
Wormsley, who first coached the Spartans under Ron Gratz, had been with current head coach David Meske since the latter arrived at Webb in 1985.
“Dave is my best friend, although we haven’t always agreed,” Wormsley said. “He wants his program run a certain way, but he always gives you the freedom to do things the way you want to do them. He remains my best friend and I’ve been fortunate to coach with him.
“And I’ve been fortunate enough to spend all of my coaching career at Webb School,” he added. “I think Dave and I have been together longer than any head coach and assistant.”
As for his decision, “I started thinking about this at the end of last season,” said Wormsley, who will continue as Dean of Students at Webb Middle School. “Every year, Dave sends out the times that we’re going to get started. Every year, it gets earlier and earlier.
“We used to start on Aug. 1, and now we’re starting in July. For the first time, I wasn’t excited about it. If I’m not excited about getting started this year, it’s not fair to the kids and it’s not fair to Dave. For Dave and me, it’s always been about the kids,” he added.
Wormsley also led Webb baseball to a state crown in 2010, as head coach for 25 years (assisted by Meske in 1987), while the assistant coach on the other baseball state title team in 1985.
Another personal highlight was his induction into Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
His son, Jordan Wormsley, took over the Spartans’ baseball program and currently is head coach. Both Jordan and his brother, Parker, played baseball and football under their father at Webb.
“With baseball, I knew that it was time because I wanted to get the chance to see Parker play when he was at Tennessee,” Clark said. “I never got the chance to see Jordan play (college baseball) because I was busy coaching.
“Now, Jordan has a daughter and I want to spend time with her and I want to spend time with my family. I also live on the Clinch River, so I’m going to fish as much as I possibly can,” he added.
Despite seeing his passion for football wane a bit, Clark said he’ll still be in attendance on Friday nights.
“We’ve had some great players that I’ve coached and I’ve had a chance to coach both of my sons in both football and baseball — and that was special,” he said. “I’m sure that I’ll miss the game, especially on Friday nights.
“I’ll miss coaching the great kids and I’ll miss the competition. I’ll still come to the games on Friday nights,” Clark added.
Also being part of three football state runner-up seasons, the elder Wormsley will be missed alongside the Spartans’ sideline.
“He’s been unbelievable and he’s been with me the whole time I’ve been at Webb School,” Meske said. “He’s my best friend and we grew up as coaches together.
“He’s a great football coach and he’s someone who loves kids, and he loves working with kids. He’s a great teacher,” Meske added.
“There’s not many times that you can say that someone has coached with you for 35 years.”
