Clayton Hall has recently joined the football and track and field coaching staffs at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The announcement was made by head football coach Mike Toop and head cross country/track and field coach Tony Boston. Hall, who started on July 11, will coach the tight ends on the football team in the fall and the throwers for the men's and women's track and field squads in the winter and spring at the academy.

"Clay has played Division III football at a very successful program and understands what it takes to succeed at this level," said Toop on Hall. "He has a solid coaching background and will be an excellent addition to our staff."

Hall was an assistant coach of the varsity football team at Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater, VA where he worked with the offensive and defensive lines as well as special teams. He was in charge of scouting opponents while assisting with film breakdown, game plans and strength and conditioning. The club went on to win the 2005 Virginia AA State championship.

He also played football throughout high school and college. After being named all-conference three times as a high schooler, Hall earned two letters at Methodist College in 2000 and 2001 and another two letters at Bridgewater College in 2003 and 2004 where he went on to receive his bachelor's degree in health and exercise this past spring.

"I am very excited to have him here on the staff," said Boston on Hall. "He was a tremendous thrower as an athlete in the collegiate and high school ranks. Clay has also coached some tremendous throwers in the past for a wide variety of events. Last year (our throwers) were with me. I took them to a certain point, but that is not my area of expertise. He will bring a great deal of knowledge and passion about the sport. I know that he can convey that passion very well. I really look forward to working with him."

Hall was an assistant coach of the boys and girls track and field teams at Turner Ashby High School where he was in charge of overseeing the throwers for the shot put and discus events. He also worked with the throwers in regard to strength and speed development while maintaining the throwing areas.

As a student-athlete, Hall earned two letters at Methodist College and another two at Bridgewater College. He holds school records in the shot put and discus events and qualified for the NCAA championships each year he was at Bridgewater College. Hall was also a six-time Old Dominion Athletic Conference champion in the same events. At the high school level, Hall owns the school records in the shot put and discus.

Hall's coaching career at USMMA begins when the football team travels to Union, NJ to face Kean University on Aug. 31. Game time is 7 p.m.