Cabot Panthers Name Lance Clark as New Head Football Coach

Cabot, AR - Cabot Public Schools is excited to announce the hiring of Lance Clark as the new Director of Football Operations/Head Football Coach for the Cabot Panthers. Clark’s hiring was approved Wednesday night during a special meeting of the Cabot School Board.

Clark brings 17 years of high school coaching experience across Arkansas and Alabama, with a proven ability to build competitive programs rooted in strong culture and accountability. Most recently, he served as head coach at Marion High School, where the program earned multiple playoff appearances and demonstrated consistent growth and stability. Under his leadership, the program maintained a 100 percent graduation rate, and 92 percent of student-athletes pursuing collegiate athletics advanced to the next level.

“Coach Clark brings energy, experience, and a clear vision for building a strong, sustainable football program,” said Michael Byrd, Superintendent of Cabot Public Schools. “He understands that success is about culture, accountability, and developing young men both on and off the field. We are excited about the future of Cabot football and confident this is the right leader for Panther Football.”

Prior to Marion, Clark served as Associate Head Coach at Little Rock Christian Academy, where he was part of a coaching staff that reached the state finals for three consecutive seasons and captured the 2018 state championship. His work there helped establish a program built on discipline, resilience, and championship-level expectations.

Clark’s coaching background also includes nine years at some of Alabama’s top high school football programs. Throughout his career, he has coached nearly every phase of the game, serving as an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, offensive line coach, and defensive backs coach. His résumé includes four state championship appearances across two states, one state title, and eight region or conference championships, reflecting a comprehensive skill set and adaptability at the highest levels of high school football.

Clark’s hiring followed a collaborative search process led by Superintendent Michael Byrd and Athletic Director Scott Reed, with a shared focus on identifying the right leader for Cabot’s football program and community. Reed recently transitioned to serving full-time as Cabot’s Athletic Director after previously holding a dual role, allowing him to focus his leadership on supporting and strengthening Cabot’s athletic programs districtwide.

“This was a very intentional hire,” Reed said. “Coach Clark has proven he can lead programs, develop staff, and build strong relationships with players and communities. He understands the expectations that come with representing Cabot, and he shares our commitment to building something our students, families, and Panther fans can be proud of.”

Clark said he and his family are excited to make Cabot home.

“My wife Lena and I are incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Clark said. “We are excited to raise our family here and become part of the Cabot Panther community. Our vision is to build a football program that reflects Cabot - tough, disciplined, connected, and proud. We want our players to compete at a high level, support one another, and represent this school and community the right way every single day.”

Clark and his wife Lena have two young daughters, Charlie Ann (2 years old) and Eloise, who was born just two weeks ago. The Clark family looks forward to becoming active members of the Cabot community.

A Press Conference to formally introduce Coach Clark will be held Thursday, January 22, at 1:45 p.m. in the Cabot Fieldhouse. Following the press conference, Clark will meet with the Cabot football coaching staff and student-athletes.

Coach Clark will also be introduced to Panther fans and the community during halftime of the girls' basketball game on Friday, January 30, giving the public an opportunity to meet and welcome Cabot’s new head football coach.

Cabot Public Schools looks forward to an exciting new chapter for Cabot Panthers football under Coach Clark’s leadership.

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