A former Rockdale High School grid standout has made some history in a nearby town.
Deron Clay is the first African-American football coach at Thorndale High School.
Clay is a 1986 RHS graduate and is an assistant football coach and strength and conditioning coach at Thorndale.
“He’s done a good job for us,” TISD Supt. Adam Ivy said.
After graduating from Rockdale, Clay played football at Sul Ross State University and then went on to a career in the Southern California Football League (SCFL).
He led the SCFL for three years and played in the league for a total of six.
Clay returned home to Rockdale to take care of his mother, which allowed him to join the Rockdale Tiger staff under head coach Casey Creghan.
Clay coached running backs and helped coach defensive backs.
“Those 2002 and 2003 Rockdale teams are still a highlight of my coaching career,” Clay said.
Standouts were backs Jamal Williams and Richard Green. “I would say ‘meet me in the end zone’,” Clay said.
Clay also started fitness camps in the area. In 2002, his company, Fit 22, hosted football, speed and conditioning, speed and agility camps.
“I’ve trained some of the greatest athletes in Rock-dale history including Tyrone Mitchell, Jamal Williams, Blade Bassler, Rainey Eanes, Jessica Gaines and Wendell Mitchell,” he said.
“Thanks to God for everyone he has placed in my life to help me,” he said. “It’s an honor to give back to the community in which I grew up”
“Special thanks to my mom, Evangelist Freddie Jones, “Big Auntie”, my brothers Curtis and Willie Clay and my beautiful sister Lashell,” he said.
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