Durant High School head football coach, Claybo Varnum, was recognized by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the 2023 Coach of the Year! He was given a tour of the Bucs training facility in addition to two tickets to Super Bowl LVIII.
Varnum took over head coaching duties at Durant in 2021 but spent his entire coaching career there, starting in 2011 as the defensive line coach for the junior varsity team and working his way up to varsity.
Varnum also played his high school football with the Cougars.
What was your first reaction to being named coach of the year?
Answer: An overwhelming amount of pride for our school. This award is much bigger than myself. It’s a culmination of the people who have poured into my life at Durant High School. From my teachers when I was a student to the players who strap it up for us each Friday night, each person has played an integral role in my journey to where I am today
When we first interviewed you back in 2021, you mentioned you wanted to build the culture at Durant. Do you feel you’ve accomplished that?
Answer: I do feel like we have established a culture at Durant that I am proud of. Our players are expected to work hard in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the practice field. Our guys respect each other and respect the game. Those efforts are leading to success on game nights. The community has rallied behind us and Friday nights at Durant are beginning to feel like they did when I was a child coming to games. My hope is that we can continue to keep Friday nights at Durant special for everyone.
Your team has finished with a winning record every season since you’ve been head coach, what’s the biggest reason for that?
Answer: The biggest reason for our success is the effort given by the people around me. Our players work relentlessly to be the best. Our coaches and football personnel spend so many hours pouring into our players and ensuring their well-being. Our teachers and administrators work with us to hold our players accountable in the classroom and around school. A football team cannot sustain success without the entire school being on board with the process. The Durant family is committed to making this program a first-class operation
Did you always know you wanted to coach football?
Answer: I actually did not. Even though I volunteered as a JV coach while in college, I originally went to school to be a golf course superintendent. That idea faded as I began subbing at Durant as a senior at Florida Southern. I fell in love with teaching and the rest was history.
What are your core values as a coach?
Answer: There are so many things that are important to me as a coach. Respecting the game and your opponent, being purpose-driven, holding true to your values despite your surroundings. I think my biggest core value coincides with our team motto, ride the middle. I am a big believer in not letting emotion control your actions. I have had to work on this myself as I’ve gotten older. Acting emotional can “blur” your vision. If you are going to be successful in life, you need to weather the storms and embrace the sunshine with humility. Our players have taken on this mentality, and I believe it has helped us in some tough situations these past three years.
If you could change one rule in high school football games, what would you change?
Answer: Sideline warnings. That one gets me more times than not. Just let me be on the field!
Was there a favorite game of yours last season during your 9-3 season?
Answer: Gosh we had some great ones this season. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be our home opener against Chamberlain. We brought back the 2003 Durant Cougars to honor their regional championship run and to celebrate 20 years since they played. They were the team that made me fall in love with Durant football. I got a chance to meet all of them and let them know how special their season was to me. The stands were packed to the brim, and we took care of business that evening. It was a culmination of all the things that make Durant special to me. It was a night I will never forget.
Is there a favorite current or all time coach that you try and mimic?
Answer: Mimic probably isn’t the right word to use, but a lot of things I appreciate about coaching come from Steve Spurrier. Growing up a Gator fan, I watched his teams play a lot of games. I grew up hearing sayings from Coach Spurrier that were engrained in me. I just recently read a book he wrote after winning the 1991 SEC Championship and I was astonished at how I agreed with almost everything he wrote about his coaching philosophy. He influenced the way I coach the game, especially when it comes to headgear.
Do you have a game-day playlist? If so, what are some go-to songs for Friday nights?
Answer: When I was a younger coach, I would listen to the entire Lynyrd Skynyrd album, Second Helping, up until the last song which I would save for the ride home. Now I listen to one song on game days during our pre-game walk. This season the song I listened to was “Little Blue” by Jacob Collier. Probably not what most people listen to get them ready for a game, but it gets me where I need to be.
What are your football team’s goals for the upcoming season?
Answer: To continue the habits we have created and try to go win the region. We’ve accomplished a lot in three years and a region championship is the next logical step in our development. Most importantly I don’t want us to stray from who we are. This school deserves the best, and we aim to give them that.