White Plains, AL White Plains, AL After a year at Sylacauga The ex- Donoho head coach Clendenin will return to Calhoun County, will coach White Plains volleyball
by Joe Medley
The Calhoun County’s top volleyball coaches will be back after just one year. Jamie Clendenin, who led Donoho to two state championships and a second-place finish in the final three seasons of his four seasons at Donoho as a coach, will now head White Plains High’s volleyball team.
The Calhoun County Board of Education confirmed his appointment Thursday.
He is back after a year at Sylacauga in which he coached his team of Aggies towards the Elite Eight appearance.
“I had previously informed them that I wasn’t intending to go back, and the next day, White Plains ending up calling,” Clendenin said. “I thought”Oh this would be a fantastic spot to be.’
“I enjoy being a part of Calhoun County. I’m aware that they have athletes here. I’m sure they’re in the same boat, and need for a push to reach the next stage.”
Clendenin was the one who led Donoho to the Class 1A titles in the years 2019 and 2021, with the team finishing second in both. The Falcons went up to 2A due to the AHSAA’s “competitive balance” rule. They also went back to state in 2022 under the guidance of Anna Taylor.
The most popular draw of White Plains included a full-time physical-education role. Clendenin has four adoptive children along with his wife … six, 16,, and 1 year old. They adopted three of the younger ones earlier.
He taught Health at Sylacauga.
“Getting an opportunity where I could coach and not have to haul a load of things to home was an enormous benefit”,” Clendenin said. “I have had an exchange with my wife, in the event that I didn’t be offered an P.E. job, I’d probably look for a school that I could teach and also take an unplanned break from coaching an inch to ensure that, when I got home with my kids, I can spend some time with them rather than being forced to compensate for the time coaching takes up.
“That was a significant part to play.”
In terms of how fast Clendenin is able to re-energize White Plains’ program, Clendenin said he’s not been able to assess the new players.
“I only hope to impart some excitement, experience and inspire girls to be a part of the hard effort and work,” he said.
