TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has named Central High School assistant athletic director Dennis Conner as one of the recipients of its Making a Difference award.
Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.
Established in 2011, The Making a Difference Award each year recognizes individuals who go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher, or administrator to make a positive impact in their schools and communities.
Whitney Clark submitted Conner’s nomination and praised his commitment to excellence and to family, saying:
“After 10 years (coaching), he stepped down as head coach to focus on his duties as assistant athletic director and full-time dad. His retirement didn’t last long. When Central decided to compete in girls’ flag football, Coach Conner was the natural choice to build the program. In the team’s inaugural year of competition, he was able to secure a college scholarship to Florida Memorial University for his senior Chyna Foster. This young lady joins dozens of student-athletes Coach Conner prepared for the next level.”
A native of Tuscaloosa, Conner was a standout high school football player at Central and at Jackson State University, where he helped the Tigers win three straight SWAC Conference titles (1985-1987).
Conner returned to his high school alma mater following graduation as a teacher and assistant football coach, setting out on a teaching and coaching career that has spanned 33 years.
Indeed, Conner was on the sidelines and helped the Falcons win the Class 6A state title in 1991, before making the move to Stillman College in 1999 where he was instrumental in helping the Division III school’s football program transition to Division II.
On staff at Stillman, Conner served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
Conner returned to Central High in 2010 to become head football coach and placed a high premium on the importance of academics, stressing a commitment to excellence.
During his coaching career, Conner has produced seven SIAC All Conference players, seven All Americans, four NFL players, and several AFL and CFL players.
What’s more Conner and the Falcons football team in 2014 were featured on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” to examine changes in the Tuscaloosa City Schools and the impact the changes have had on athletics.
He retired as head football coach in 2019, but currently serves as assistant athletic director and dean of students at Central High School.
Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you’re interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
