David Dinger resigns as Lookout Valley football coach

David Dinger, center, takes the field with the Lookout Valley varsity football team for the Sequatchie Valley Jamboree this past August at Marion County High School. Dinger resigned as the Yellow Jackets' head coach on Thursday after one season in charge in his third stint leading the program as his alma mater.
David Dinger, center, takes the field with the Lookout Valley varsity football team for the Sequatchie Valley Jamboree this past August at Marion County High School. Dinger resigned as the Yellow Jackets' head coach on Thursday after one season in charge in his third stint leading the program as his alma mater.
photo Lookout Valley head coach David Dinger and his Yellow Jackets wait. Marion County High School hosted the Sequatchie Valley Football Jamboree that featured eight area teams on August 10, 2018.

David Dinger, who stepped in to take over the Lookout Valley football program last season, resigned that job Thursday.

Dinger, who was in his third stint as football coach at his alma mater, guided the Yellow Jackets to a 6-5 finish and the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. He will remain the school's athletic director.

"Last year we felt like we had things going in the right direction and didn't need a big change with somebody new coming in, so I did it under the assumption of it just being the one year," Dinger said. "But now we need some stability with our football program and somebody who wants to be here for a while.

"This is my 30th year, so I'm going to put my papers in to retire. I may change my mind and not retire, but I felt it's a good time for this change because of my uncertainty. I just don't want to leave the program in limbo while I'm deciding what I'll do. If I don't retire I'd like to stay and help whoever does take over. Either way, I'd like to be involved in finding the new coach."

Dinger, a 1983 Lookout Valley graduate, has worked at his alma mater throughout his teaching and coaching career, having also served as baseball coach for 23 years - guiding the program to four state-tournament appearances - and softball head coach since 2014. In his three stints as football coach (1989-94, 1997, 2018) he compiled a 31-41 overall record. He has also been the program's defensive coordinator the past 11 seasons.

Last season Dinger replaced Lance Rorex, who had agreed to coach the football program as an addition to his role as the school's head baseball coach. Rorex coached the football team in 2017 and remained on Dinger's staff last season but will not be a candidate to take over the football program again.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.

Upcoming Events