Clarion Athletics

David Lion was hired as the head coach of the Golden Eagles tennis team in Summer 2024. He will enter his second season at the helm in 2025-26.

Lion came to Clarion after serving as the head girls’ tennis coach at St. Mary’s high school from 2015-23. The Lady Dutch were wildly successful in his tenure, with Lion coaching them to multiple District 9 championships amid a streak of eight consecutive district crowns. St. Mary’s boasted six straight D-9 singles champions from 2015-20 as well as three consecutive doubles champions from 2018-20. Under Lion’s guidance, Samantha Hayes won four straight District 9 singles championships, and daughters Lilia and Davan Lion – the latter of whom is a member of the Golden Eagles – won a doubles championship together.

In addition to his high school coaching, Lion is certified as a United States Tennis Association (USTA) Tournament Director as well as a USTA official. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State.