News Summary
The King’s Academy has announced its decision to suspend its football season for the upcoming year. Interim Athletic Director Matt Crowder explained this is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the athletic program. The school plans to focus on developing student-athletes and will continue to provide training opportunities during this hiatus. TKA is committed to revitalizing its football program with plans for future growth, especially in relation to its expanding Middle School program. This decision follows the resignation of the former coach and aims to strengthen the school’s athletic foundation.
KNOXVILLE – The King’s Academy (TKA) has announced that it will not participate in the 2025 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) football season. This significant decision was communicated to TKA families via email, confirmed on July 25. The school joins Webb School – Bell Buckle as the second institution in the TSSAA’s Division II-A East Region to suspend its football season.
Interim Athletic Director Matt Crowder emphasized that this cancellation is not a withdrawal from football, but rather a strategic move to prepare for a more robust return in the future. He expressed that the focus will be on the growth and development of student-athletes, which are essential components of their ongoing learning process.
The decision affects only the 2025 high school football season, though specific reasons for the cancellation have not been outlined. TKA plans to concentrate on developmental strategies from the lower levels of the program to ensure a successful revival of the football team.
Despite suspending the football schedule, TKA is committed to investing in its current athletes. The school will continue to provide structured workouts and personalized athletic development opportunities. Meanwhile, TKA’s Middle School football program is reportedly expanding, which supports aspirations to return to the field for the 2026-2027 season.
This announcement comes shortly after the resignation of former football coach and athletic director Jonathan Sellers, who left on June 16. Sellers, who took charge of the program in 2018 following Matt Lowe’s departure for another opportunity, had overseen several seasons, including three with winning records and six playoff appearances. Under his leadership, TKA reached the quarterfinals twice. However, the program has faced challenges in recent years, recording a 6-26 win-loss record since 2022. The most recent season saw TKA finish winless in 2023, followed by a 2-9 record in the subsequent season.
Interim head of school Kelly Sullivan-Connatser described this decision as an opportunity for the TKA community to strengthen its foundations. She conveyed optimism regarding future developments and the potential for the revitalization of the football program.
In preparation for the 2025 season, TKA had already established a full schedule, which included a highly anticipated rivalry game against Webb-Bell Buckle on October 31. However, instead of football games, the school now intends to organize community events to foster engagement and support during this hiatus.
The King’s Academy aims to harness this time to reflect, regroup, and focus on a brighter future for its athletics program, particularly football. As the school embarks on this new chapter, the emphasis remains on the positives from its Middle School program and the ongoing support for its athletes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Knox News: The King’s Academy Cancels Season
- Tennessean: Tennessee High School Football Schedule – Week 11
- Knox News: John Slaughter Transfer Portal
- Tennessean: Tennessee High School Football All-State Teams
- AOL: Tennessee High School Football Schedule
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
