Who should be the 2023 Midlands high school football Coach of the Year? Vote now
It’s time to vote for The State’s football Coach Player of the Year from Midlands-area high schools. Voting ends Monday, Dec. 18 at noon. The winner will be announced along with the all-area football team next week.
Congrats to all the nominees. The voting takes place below the bios. Please note: This poll is not scientific and is meant to be just for fun.
Coach of the Year nominees
Aaron Brand, Irmo: Led Yellow Jackets to region championship, 4A Lower State title appearance and 13 victories, most since 2002.
Rusty Charpia, Brookland-Cayce: Led Bearcats to region championship, 11 wins (most since 2016) and third state semifinal appearance since 2016.
Cory Helms, Cardinal Newman: Led Cardinals to nine wins, most since 1997 and first state semifinal since 2018.
Adam Holmes, Gray Collegiate: Led War Eagles to region title, school-record 15 wins and second state championship appearance.
Tom Knotts, Dutch Fork: Won eighth state championship in nine seasons. Dutch Fork started the year 2-5 but won the final eight games of the season.
Nick Pelham, White Knoll: Pelham led Timberwolves to region championship, school-record 14 wins and first state championship appearance.
Brian Rimpf, Camden: Led Bulldogs to 11 victories and third state championship appearance in the last four years.
Jon Wheeler, Hammond: Led Skyhawks to their seventh straight season of 10 or more wins and seventh SCISA state championship in a row.
Walt Wilson, Richland Northeast: Led Cavaliers to seven wins and a playoff victory, first time both have happened for the school since 2015.
