David Watson

[NRM84 @Mappy6984]

My parents got me a cake from local bakery, I had 5 friends over and got 100 bucks. How times have changed

[0️⃣marii Sanders @omariisanders]

#OneofOne #misfits 🔥 @VUFBRecruiting @Ave_Watson

[Super 70s Sports @Super70sSports]

Super Sky Point to Bob Horner. He was the NL Rookie of the Year and an All-Star but if you were around back then you know he was more than that. Much more. He was a fixture in the homes of millions of us through the miracle of cable television during those epic childhood summers that seemed like they’d never end.

I was a fan for over 40 years but had never met Bob until I interviewed him last December about Dale Murphy’s Hall of Fame case. As you’d expect, Bob was a fierce advocate for his fellow Fulton County basher. How could he not be? They were Murph and Horner. Horner and Murph. The Hall and Oates of the Launching Pad.

You know, these sky points all suck to write but this one hurts more than most. The four-homer game, the bad perm, Chief Noc-A-Homa waiting by his teepee for another Horner long ball. I have tweeted a lot about Bob Horner through the years and it’s because he represents to me, and I suspect many of you too, something far bigger than baseball: WTBS coming out of the magic box on top of my 400-pound Zenith, cool air coming through my bedroom window after another afternoon of Wiffle Ball, and Rick Mahler (probably) toeing the rubber at about 7:05 while hoping to keep the Braves in it with smoke and mirrors long enough for Horner and Murph to do some damage. And me sprawled out on green and yellow shag carpet in Kentucky paying 100 times more attention to Skip Caray, Ernie Johnson, and Pete Van Wieren than any of my teachers.

Farewell, you sweet slugging bastard. Tell St. Peter you brought your glove for the hot corner and to write you into the cleanup spot. #RIP

[Rutherford County Schools @rucoschools]

'Leaving here is killing me'

Ash shapes lasting legacy at Central Magnet School before returning home as director of Smith County Schools

May 18, 2026

By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools

For the first time in nearly 17 years, Dr. John Ash will no longer be the principal of Central Magnet School starting June 1.

Instead, Ash will become Smith County’s new director of schools — a fitting next step for the man many back home know as “Eddie,” after his middle name, Edward. Ash was born and raised there, and he and his wife, Jennifer, were already building a home in the county where they plan to retire one day.

And while he is looking forward to returning home and contributing his leadership to his native county, Ash admits it will be hard no longer calling the shots at the renowned magnet school on East Main Street in Murfreesboro.

“It’s very painful,” Ash said. “At my interview up there (in Smith County), they asked why I would want to leave. Every job I’ve ever had has been the best job I’ve ever had. I loved teaching at LaVergne High School. I loved being principal at Christiana Middle. And I love being here. As long as you’re around kids, it’s a great job.”

Ash added: “But it’s time to do something more. Smith County was very good to me. It played a large role in developing me, and I feel like I need to give back before I retire. So it is time. But leaving here is killing me. I’ve been here a lot of hours in the last 17 years.”

After graduating from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Ash went on to teach at Smith County High School, Brentwood High School, and LaVergne High School, where he taught advanced courses in chemistry and physics. He was also a coach for football, baseball, track and basketball before moving into administration as an assistant principal at LaVergne High School. He then was named the first principal of Christiana Middle School by former Rutherford County Schools Superintendent, Hulon Watson.
Ash remembers the funny timing that occurred when he was first named Christiana principal, along with other new principals Ken Nolan and Richard Zago.

“Yeah, Mr. Watson introduced me, Zago, and Ken Nolan (at the School Board meeting). Zago got Smyrna Elementary and then Ken Nolan got Siegel High at the Board. Then the next morning, Mr. Watson decided he couldn’t do this anymore and announced his retirement,” Ash said, adding jokingly, “I don’t know that it was correlated, but I think the transfer paperwork was signed already.”

After six years leading Christiana Middle with distinction, Ash was tapped to develop an academic magnet program for grades 6-12 at Central Magnet School. The school had originally served as a high school serving many in Murfreesboro before the opening of Oakland and Riverdale high schools in 1972. It then became Central Middle School before the School Board voted to revitalize the school as a magnet school.

Ash spent a year hiring his faculty and staff and fleshing out the school’s programs. It officially opened as the magnet school in 2010.
“We tried to make a school where being smart was the goal — where it wasn’t looked down on,” Ash said.

The school’s performance has earned a litany of awards over the years, including being named multiple times as the best high school in Tennessee by U.S. News and World Report, which last spring named Central the third best high school in the nation.
Ash’s pride in the school is obvious, and he can name multiple student accolades without hesitation.

“Last year, our homecoming king and queen both had 36 ACT scores, and both went to Princeton University. We had 19 36’s this year and more National Merit scholars than anybody else in the state,” Ash listed proudly. “But the bigger thing is our kids feel comfortable here. They’re respected for their achievements, whether it’s academics or basketball. We want everybody to feel like this is their home. They don’t even have locks on their lockers. They don’t need them. Our kids take care of each other.”

Ash will begin his new duties in Smith County in June. Dr. Clark Blair, the current principal of nearby McFadden School of Excellence, has been named Central’s new principal.
And while it will be difficult and different not being the school’s principal, Ash said he doesn’t want to get in the way of Dr. Blair and his team.

“If (Blair) has a question or invites me to something, I’ll be thrilled to help. But I won’t be one of those people second-guessing,” Ash said. “I want Central to be more successful than it is now. We try to get better every year. I tell people when 100% of my kids get into their first-choice colleges and it’s all paid for, then I can relax a little bit. Until then, we can always be better.”

[David Watson @Coach__Watson]

@strengthcoach34 @blazeyouthfball @Coach_Shad_ @CoachCreasy_OHS @Coach_Wyant @cecil_joyce @Kreager @HartsfieldKit @BigNate187 You have done a lot for kids! Serving others is a testament to who you are! 👏👏

[David Watson @Coach__Watson]

@DaleMurphy3 I watched it live....way past my bedtime!

[Vanderbilt Football @VandyFootball]

Coach Lea and Diego Pavia named TSWA Coach and Player of the Year!

[Chevy Armour @Chevy3Armour]

Thank you @RhodesFootball for the invite loved visiting and experiencing lynx culture.
@OHSPatsFootball
@CoachCreasy_OHS
@CoachRoberts_JR
@Coach__Watson

[alpha man @alphaman_111]

On day 1 of my high school history class, our professor got up and said

You are 15 or 16 years old. 200 years ago people your age were married, planted crops, had children, and built a cabin by winter. You can do your homework. The bar set for you historically is embarrassingly low. You are not dealing with regional famine or plague. You do not have to save your family from marauders or go into battle to destroy your enemies. You have to sit down and learn from someone who cares about you in a safe, air-conditioned room. You have no excuses.

[Trenton Gibbs @TrentonGibbsjr_]

Thank you @NxgnCamps for a great camp! Blessed to be named Top 3 Defensive linemen, invited to the Private Pro Day tomorrow, and invited to TheShow Showcase in June. @OHSPatsFootball @CoachCreasy_OHS @Coach_Watson @CoachRoberts_JR @CoachBrob_95 @CoachBanks__

[Isaiah Davis @IsaiahDavis__]

Great seeing former @OHSPatsFootball Alumni @craigtutt_ in the SIP! #hottytoddy @CoachCreasy_OHS @Coach__Watson @Marcus_B9

[Trenton Gibbs @TrentonGibbsjr_]

Thank you @TheMVPCamps for a great camp, blessed to be picked as a top 10 defensive linemen(the only freshman picked) and be named all camp team!! @OHSPatsFootball @CoachCreasy_OHS @Coach__Watson @CoachRoberts_JR @CoachBrob_95 @CoachBanks___ @RustyMansell_ @ChadSimmons_

[Dan Zaksheske @RealDanZak]

Incredible take from Charles Barkley on Tom Izzo:

"The media, who don't know anything about sports, say 'Why is he yelling his players?' That's called coaching... if parents & friends get mad because you're getting yelled at, get better parents & better friends."

[OHSPatsFootball @OHSPatsFootball]

Two dandy former Patriots at Vandy!Thanks to @VandyFootball & @Coach_Lea for opening up their pro day to a @OHSPatsFootball / @TNTechFootball athlete @GainesTheron!!! @Ave_Watson @JacksonMTraivon @CandiceLee78
#BuckBuchananFinalist @NFLDraft #FirstTeamAllAmerican #OaklandTN

[Alaina Morris @alainammorris]

31 of the 32 NFL teams are in attendance for Vanderbilt Pro Day.

Jacksonville is the only organization not here.

[Vanderbilt Football @VandyFootball]

All eyes on them 💪

[Public Schools Top 25 | National @Top25PublicHSFB]

Since it is #MarchMadness:

Here is what a 16-team playoff would've looked like last year according to the #PublicSchoolsTop25

Who do you think would've taken home the hardware?

[Drew Toennies @drew_toennies]

An excellent touchdown pass from @KamMorton_TN to @javonnimalone from this afternoon 🏈🔥

Two playmakers out of the Murfreesboro area that colleges should get to know

#PRZMusicCityMayhem

[Oakland High School @OaklandRCS]

We spy those @PatriotsOakland Trainers! Best in the Biz!

[Oakland High School @OaklandRCS]

#ozone