News Summary
The King’s Academy in Knoxville has announced the cancellation of its 2025 football season to focus on restructuring the program. This decision, communicated to families via email, follows a decline in recent team performance. The school aims to rebuild from the grassroots level, emphasizing athlete development and community engagement while planning for a return to varsity competition in the future.
Knoxville school cancels 2025 football season amid program restructuring
Knoxville, TN — The King’s Academy (TKA) has announced it will not participate in the 2025 TSSAA high school football season, marking a significant shift in the school’s athletic plans. The decision was confirmed on July 25 through an email sent to TKA families, signaling a temporary pause in its football program.
Reason for the cancellation
The cancellation makes TKA the second school in the TSSAA Division II-A East Region to opt out of the upcoming football season. The choice was made without a detailed public explanation, but officials indicate it is part of a strategic effort to focus on long-term development and revitalization of the football program. The interim Athletic Director, Matt Crowder, emphasized that the school is not withdrawing from the sport but is instead preparing for a more robust return in the future.
Future development plans
As part of its development strategy, TKA plans to prioritize building its football program from the ground up, beginning at the lower levels. The school will continue to support its current players through structured workouts, personalized athletic development programs, and increased focus on skill-building. The Middle School football program at TKA is reportedly expanding annually, which is viewed as a foundation for a successful return to varsity competition.
Impact on current and future teams
The school’s focus on growth is reflected in its intention to resume varsity play by the 2026-2027 season. A full schedule had been prepared for the 2025 season, including a traditional rivalry game against Webb School of Bell Buckle scheduled for October 31. In lieu of scheduled games, TKA plans to organize community events and activities to maintain engagement and support for its student-athletes and community members.
Recent athletics history and program trajectory
The decision to cancel the upcoming season follows the resignation of former football coach and athletic director Jonathan Sellers, who stepped down on June 16. Sellers had been leading the program since 2018, after taking over from Matt Lowe, and during his tenure, the team experienced three winning seasons and six playoff appearances, including two quarterfinal runs.
However, recent performance has declined significantly. The program’s record since 2022 stands at 6 wins and 26 losses, with the 2023 season ending without any wins and the latest season recording a 2-9 record. These challenges coupled with leadership changes appear to have prompted the school to reevaluate its football strategy.
Leadership perspective and school community
Interim head of school Kelly Sullivan-Conatser described the current moment as an opportunity for holistic growth, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the entire school community. She expressed optimism about future developments and highlighted the school’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to student-athlete growth and success.
Overall outlook
While the immediate future of the football program is on pause, TKA remains committed to its development goals. The school intends for the program to be stronger and more sustainable upon its return, with a focus on developing talent from the youth levels and fostering a positive athletic culture that aligns with the school’s broader educational objectives.
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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
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