Nolensville football coach Paul Derrick resigns after seven TSSAA seasons

AI-assisted summary
• Nolensville High School football coach Paul Derrick resigned after seven seasons. He led the Knights to the Class 4A state semifinals twice.
• Derrick amassed a 58-28 record at Nolensville and never missed the playoffs.
• Derrick's departure is the second major coaching change in Williamson County this offseason, following Scott Blade's return to Independence.

Nolensville coach Paul Derrick has resigned after seven TSSAA football seasons.

Derrick, a 2000 Father Ryan graduate, never missed the playoffs and led the Knights to the Class 4A state semifinals twice during his tenure. He led Nolensville to a district title in 2022 and finished with a 58-28 record. 

"It has been an honor to serve this school and all the players that have come through this program," Derrick said in a release. "I will look back on my time here with so many great memories and relationships that were made.

"Although this decision was not an easy one, I feel like it is what is best for me at this time. I would like to thank the administration for all of their love and support during my time here as the head coach."

Nolensville figures to be an attractive opening. Current Ravenwood coach Will Hester started the program in 2016, and the Knights have had just two losing records in nine years. Derrick was part of the development. He worked as defensive coordinator for two seasons under Hester, then was promoted when Hester accepted a job at Florence High School (Alabama) in 2018. 

"Coach Derrick has been more than just a leader on the field at Nolensville High school," Nolensville principal Jennifer Calvert said. "He's been a mentor and inspiration to our athletes. His passion and commitment to our Knights have left an impact that won't be forgotten."

Derrick’s Class 4A semifinals teams in 2019 and 2020 both fell to Elizabethton. The 2019 team included Class 4A Mr. Football winner Tim Coutras.

Nolensville was a legitimate Class 5A title contender in 2022. The Knights captured a region title over eventual state runner-up Page but lost the teams’ state quarterfinal rematch, 35-28. 

Nolensville’s staff was already undergoing changes this year before Derrick’s departure. Pat Curran, the Knights offensive coordinator for all of Derrick’s tenure, recently accepted the same position under new Father Ryan coach Zach Mettenberger. Quarterbacks coach Daniel Childs also left to become the Montgomery Bell Academy offensive coordinator.

This is the third marquee job in Williamson County to open this offseason. Independence, which won the 2015 Class 5A state title under Scott Blade, hired Blade back after firing Scott Stidham in November. And former Tennessee Vol Jay Graham replaced Jamaal Stewart at Centennial in early March.

Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.