After five seasons as boys’ basketball coach at Newburyport, David Clay will depart his high school alma mater to be the coach at St. John’s Prep. Clay, a three-time Cape Ann League Coach of the Year, will succeed John Dullea, who retired to spend more time with his family after accumulating a 117-68 record in nine seasons.
Clay compiled a 74-26 record at Newburyport where he served as a water boy during grade school before starring for the Clippers (Class of 2003) as a high school player and going on to play at Daniel Webster College in New Hampshire.
“I strive to run a basketball program that not only wins games, but also produces student-athletes who value education, sportsmanship and community service,” Clay said in a statement. “As head coach, my involvement in the school community and in building relationships with future Eagles will be imperative to long-lasting success for the program, and I will work tirelessly toward that goal.” He is a special education teacher at Newburyport High.
Clay takes the reins of the Eagles’ program effective immediately. St. John’s Prep finished with a 36-36 record after reaching the Division 1 North Sectional quarterfinals in 2018.
“During our conversations, he made clear that he believes developing men of character who aim to serve others is far more important than any play he draws up on a white board,” St. John’s Prep athletic director Jameson Pelkey said in a statement. “Dave knows that by meeting students-athletes where they are, both functionally and athletically, a good coach can identify what’s necessary to maximize each player’s capabilities, on and off the court.”