Anthony Payton’s tenure as head football coach at Daviess County High School has come to an abrupt end after less than a year in the position.
Payton, a Kentucky Wesleyan College graduate and former professional player and coach, was hired in February 2024 to replace Matt Brannon, who stepped down after 20 years with the program.
The Panthers went 1-10 this season. The lone win was a 22-6 home victory over Warren Central in their sixth game of the year. Many of the losses were lopsided, with DCHS being outscored by opponents 384-121, but they did show signs of improvement toward the latter half of the season.
DCHS Principal Jeff Wethington confirmed Payton’s departure but declined to comment on the specifics of the decision.
“I do want to communicate gratitude toward Coach Payton for his efforts, dedication, and leadership as head football coach. The decision to part ways marks a new chapter for our football program,” Wethington said. “We truly appreciate Coach Payton’s dedication and countless hours toward building the DCHS football program. We wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”
Payton, who brought an extensive resume to Daviess County, expressed his disappointment and confusion about the sudden decision. In an interview Saturday evening, he said the firing caught him off guard.
“I’m still kind of numb. The way everything went down, how it happened — it just came out of nowhere,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve known any coach at any level to be given 10 months to turn a program around, and then be brought into an office 10 months and one day later to be told (by administration) they were going in a different direction.”
Payton, a former All-American in high school with nine years of professional playing experience in leagues like the Indoor Football League and Arena Football League, began coaching in 2003 at Fern Creek High School in Louisville. Over the years, he built a reputation as an offensive specialist with coaching stints in the AFL and Indoor Football League, including serving as the head coach of the Massachusetts Pirates in 2019.
Despite his experience, Payton said he felt he wasn’t given enough time to implement his vision at DCHS.
“I don’t know if I was given a real opportunity to turn the program around. It’s one of those things where you have to sit back and think about things that you could’ve done wrong or that were so distasteful for the organization to want to walk away from you, especially after the commitment you made to the school,” he said. “I took over a program with a coaching staff already in place and athletes that I didn’t really get a chance to mold the way I wanted. Starting with a coaching staff that didn’t necessarily see the game the way I see it, you’ve got to have some time to work on that part.”
Payton also highlighted the personal sacrifices he made for the position, including leaving the professional coaching ranks and putting his house on the market.
“I thought I was going to be in Daviess County for 20 years,” he said. “I trusted in the administration. I also did this for my wife, who means everything to me, and for my son. I thought it was going to be a great situation.”
When asked to confirm whether his departure was a firing or a mutual parting of ways, Payton was clear.
“Oh yeah, they fired me, most definitely. Again, I don’t want to make it sound like they were wrong for firing me. They felt like it was better to go in a different direction, and I have to respect that,” he said. “I respected them when they hired me, so I’m going to respect them when they let me go, also.”
Payton said he thinks not everyone in the community bought into his vision, which may have added some pressure on the administration to let him go.
“I do know that at this level of competition, the community and parents have a lot to say about it,” he said. “I firmly believe I didn’t win everybody over. That was kind of baffling to me because I’m the type of guy that loves everybody. I never shut anybody out. I try to talk to everybody as much as I can.”
Payton said he remains proud of the work he did at DCHS, expressing gratitude for the relationships he built with the students, staff, and administration.
“The kids did a great job. The school was there for me. I was crazy about the custodians, the lunch ladies, the people working in the front office, all the kids that went to that school, the administration,” he said. “Everything was great; it just seems like I wasn’t the right guy for the job.”
Though he’s still surprised by the decision, Payton reiterated that he’s not trying to blame anyone.
“I’m sitting here going through it as a man, trying to figure out what I could have done better. That’s what it is for me. I’m not going to blame anybody else,” he said. “I don’t want to call it anyone’s fault. … I don’t want to throw Daviess County under the bus. I just think it was a business decision, and I don’t know if everybody believed in me over there. … But I’m still licking my wounds, trying to stand up with my chest out, knowing that I know football. I just wish I had a little more time to work on that program because I believe we could’ve done some great things.”
As for his future, Payton said he plans to remain in Owensboro and is open to new opportunities. Despite the abrupt ending, he remains appreciative of the chance he was given.
“(Former DCHS Principal) Matt Mason put his neck on the line hiring me. I owe everything to him. I respect him and will for the rest of my life because he gave me an opportunity that probably no one else would have. I just wish it could’ve ended differently, though,” Payton said. “I’ve got to move on from here. I’m definitely going to stay in Owensboro, so I’m open to any options if anybody needs help.”
Daviess County High School has not announced a timeline for hiring Payton’s replacement. Wethington said that as DCHS looks to hire a head football coach, “the attitude remains committed to building a positive and successful future for our students and DC Athletics.”
