What we’re hearing about Dustin Curtis, Lexington High football’s coaching search
Lexington High School is taking the final steps in its search for a new football coach. Whether or not Dustin Curtis becomes the Wildcats’ new leader remains to be seen.
Curtis resigned Monday as Dorman’s football coach, fueling speculation that he was coming back to coach in the Midlands.
WSPA-TV’s Pete Yanity, citing a source, posted to Twitter on Monday that Curtis would be taking the job at Lexington, only to backtrack a bit and say: “Curtis is stepping down at Dorman. That is where things will stand at this time, per a source familiar. What happens moving forward is to be determined, per source.”
Curtis told The State that his plan is move back to the Midlands for personal reasons. He declined to say whether he had applied or had interviewed for the Lexington job.
“All I can say is that Lexington High is a great place and a great community,” Curtis said. “Anyone would be fortunate to coach there in any capacity. These things have a process to them. I am going to pursue opportunities that allow me to be closer to my family.”
Curtis said a main reason he was leaving Dorman was to come back to the Midlands and be closer to family. His stepfather is battling leukemia, and Curtis said it’s important to be in the area to support his family.
“Spartanburg isn’t that far, but if opportunities are out there it is important to maximize your time with your family and put them first,” Curtis said.
Lexington High, where Curtis played high school football and was member of the Wildcats’ 2000 state championship runner-up team, has an opening after Perry Woolbright left earlier this month to take a job at his alma mater of Clover.
Applications for the Lexington job closed on Feb. 14 and the school started interviews last week. According to sources familiar with the hiring process, the school conducted interviews with nine prospective candidates last week and were expected to do a second-round of interviews with three finalists on Wednesday before taking a name to the school board on Feb. 28.
Curtis met Monday afternoon with his Dorman players that to tell them he was leaving. The Cavaliers went 9-3 in the 2022 season and lost in the second round of the playoffs to Dutch Fork.
Before Dorman, Curtis was a head coach in the Midlands at Westwood and A.C. Flora high schools.
Curtis went 28-4 in three seasons as Flora’s head coach and led the Falcons to a 2020 Class 4A state championship win over North Myrtle Beach. It was Flora’s first state championship in football and the first by a Columbia city school since Lower Richland in 1970.
“It was extremely difficult. This place has a lot of great kids, a lot of great coaches and a phenomenal administration,” Curtis said of informing Dorman players of his decision. “I think anyone who looks at it from a far feels like it is the best football job in the state. They take a lot of care and pride in how they treat kids and provide for them. So to look kids in the eyes and tell them you are leaving, it is not an easy situation for anyone.”
This story was originally published February 20, 2023 at 3:36 PM.
