The University School of Jackson athletic director Michael Stroup announced today
that Clayton Gant has been named the Head Baseball Coach for the Bruins.
“Going into this search for a new head baseball coach at the University School of Jackson, we felt
like we needed to find a high character individual who excels as both a teacher and coach, as well
as a leader of young men,” said Michael Stroup, “We think we found exactly what we were looking for in Clayton Gant.
“Clayton is a USJ alum and is familiar with the expectations held by our school. What excites us the
most about Clayton is his competitive nature, and desire to not only win but win the right way. When
you look at all the things that Clayton has been able to accomplish as both a player and coach, it is
easy to see that this guy will be a great example for our student-athletes.”
A West Tennessee native, Coach Gant is a USJ Class of 2008 alum, who was honored as a four-time Class A All-State Athlete.
Clayton’s tenure as a Bruin began when he was an eighth-grader. He made three state tournament appearances with the Bruins and tied a TSSAA record in 2005 with two home runs in a state tournament game.
He also earned the Jackson Sun’s All-West Tennessee Spring Sports Award in 2007, and was named to the Jackson Sun’s All-West Tennessee Team multiple times.
Upon Graduation from USJ, Clayton went on to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville,
where he played baseball for a year before having to sit out due to injury. Gant then made a move in
2010 to the University of Memphis to pursue a degree in Psychology and to continue pitching under
the direction of Fred Corral.
Gant finished out his collegiate career as a Tiger in 2013. His coaching career spans over eight years, beginning as an Assistant Pitching Coach for the Union University Bulldogs. Clayton is currently the Associate Head Baseball Coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Coach Gant says, “I am excited to be returning to USJ. I was a Bruin for five years and I always
enjoyed the sense of community and family with the school. I have been waiting for this position to
open up, and I am eager to continue the winning tradition I experienced with the USJ Baseball
program.”
Coach Gant will assume his role effective January 6, 2020
Gant will be a guest on The Cheap Seats, NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM – hosted by Sea Bass – at 6 p.m., today.
(PHOTO: Clayton Gant)
