Tennis Clinton "T.C." Britton, Jr. was born on September 30, 1932 in Aquilla, Alabama. He was a graduate of Millry High School in 1950 and served in the Korean War.

Britton was a veteran of the First Airborne Division of the United States Army and served from 1952-1954.

Upon returning to the United States, he graduated from the University of West Alabama with a B.S. in Education in 1956. He later received his M.ED, in Administration from Auburn University in 1958 and A.A. in Administration in 1960.

Britton was hired by legendary Smiths Station principal J.B. Page in 1955 to develop the Panther football program when the school first opened. Britton coached the first Panther team in 1956 and stayed for 13 seasons compiling an 82-29-1 record.

He led the Panthers to a 10-0 record and the Class 1A State Championship in the programs third season (1958). He was also named Class 1A Coach of the Year in 1959.

His 1967 squad completed an undefeated regular season (10-0) before falling in the state playoffs. His last team in 1968 also went undefeated before losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Along with coaching the football team, he served as the head baseball and basketball coach. His 13 basketball teams had a 177-58 record and his 10 baseball teams posted a 148-31 mark. Britton coached in the 1963 Alabama All-Star game. He taught history and physical education and served as assistant principal.

Britton stepped down from football following the 1968 season, taking the role of superintendent, a position he held until retiring in 1991. He was succeeded by E.L. "Moose" Godwin, who coached the Panthers through 1989 and is the winningest coach (111) in school history.

As a leader in his community, Brittons legacy will long be remembered. As a servant in education, he coached at Smiths Station High School for 13 years and was Superintendent of Education of the Lee County school system for 22 years.

Because of his leadership and many contributions to the sports program at Smiths Station High School, Britton was inducted into the first SSHS Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame on February 25, 2006.

He was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame on March 19, 2001. T.C. Britton, Jr. age 77, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Columbus Regional Medical Center in Columbus, GA.