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HIGH SCHOOL

Former King's Academy coach Les Greer named new Kenwood football coach

Tom Kreager
Leaf Chronicle

Les Greer sees the right pieces that can make Kenwood a steady football playoff contender.

It's up to him to put them together.

Greer was named Kenwood's coach on Thursday, replacing Robert Gillard, who resigned for health reasons. Gillard has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

"I've watched film," said Greer, who resigned as football coach and athletic director midway through the 2018 season from The King's Academy in Seymour, which is near Knoxville. "There is a lot of talented football players.

"I think they need some organization and fundamentals taught to them. Those kids play hard. I've met a few of them when I went up there (to interview). They seem to be excited about football."

Kenwood finished 4-7 and lost 41-13 at Kirby in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs. The Knights haven't had a winning record since 2015, when they went 8-4 and lost to Springfield in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Kewood is 10-22 since then.

TKA named Les Greer its next football coach. He was most recently the Catholic defensive coordinator.

Greer went 0-5 prior to resigning. He had been an assistant coach at Knoxville Catholic under coach Steve Matthews. The two had previously been assistants at Siegel.

Since resigning at TKA, Greer has been teaching at Stewarts Creek in Smyrna to be closer to his two boys.

"I get an opportunity to work with a football program and do what I love, but also get to stay close to my kids and in the Midstate area."

Greer said he hopes to be at Kenwood by the end of the month and will be there during spring practice. He will institute a spread offense. The defense will be based out of a 3-4.

"We have to be be organized," Greer said. "One person can't do it. We're trying to organize the pieces there with the players. The weight room and strength program will be overhauled. But the numbers and players are there."

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Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.