White Plains, AL – After one year at Sylacauga, former Donoho coach Clendenin returns to Calhoun County, will coach White Plains volleyball
By Joe Medley
One of Calhoun County’s most successful volleyball coaches will return after one year away. Jamie Clendenin, who led Donoho to two state titles and a runner-up finish in the final three of his four years at Donoho, will coach White Plains High School’s volleyball program.
The Calhoun County Board of Education approved his hiring Thursday.
He returns after one year at Sylacauga, where he guided the Aggies to an Elite Eight appearance.
“I had already told them I was not planning on returning, and then White Plains ending up calling,” Clendenin said. “I was like, ‘Well, that would be a great place to be.’
“I love being in Calhoun County. I know they’ve got athletes over there. I think they’re probably in a similar boat and just needed a push to the next level.”
Clendenin led Donoho to Class 1A titles in 2019 and 2021 with a runner-up finish in between. The Falcons moved up to 2A because of the AHSAA’s “competitive balance” rule and took state again in 2022, under Anna Taylor.
Among draws at White Plains included a full-time physical-education position. Clendenin and his wife have four adopted children … 16, 6, 5 snd 1 years old. They adopted the three younger children more recently.
He was teaching health at Sylacauga.
“Getting a position that would allow me to coach and then not have to take a bunch of stuff home was a big kicker,,” Clendenin said. “I had pretty much had a conversation with my wife that, if I could not get a P.E. position, then I was probably going to go find a school where I could just teach and take a break from coaching just a little bit so that, when I was home with my family, I could actually spend that time with them instead of having to make up the time that coaching is taking up.
“That had a huge part in it.”
As for how quickly Clendenin can goose White Plains’ program, he said he hasn’t had a chance to evaluate his new team.
“I just hope to bring some experience, excitement and get the girls wanting to put in the hard work and effort,” he said.
