Dustin Curtis stepping down as Lexington High football coach. Here’s what we know
Lexington High School will soon be searching for a new head football coach.
The school announced Friday that Dustin Curtis will be stepping down as football coach but remain the Wildcats’ athletic director. The Lexington 1 school district is splitting all of its athletic director and football coaching jobs by the end of the 2025-26 school year.
White Knoll is the lone school in the five-school district to not announce plans for splitting the two roles.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to coach Curtis for his exceptional leadership and dedication to our football program,” Lexington principal Jennifer McNair wrote in an email sent to staff and parents Friday. “His contributions have been invaluable and we look forward to his continued impact on our school’s athletic success.”
It’s been the norm locally in some school districts for high school football coaches to also serve as athletic directors. That’s been the case in Lexington 1 and Lexington 2, and in some schools in Lexington-Richland 5. Lexington 1 has started the process of splitting the roles into two different jobs, and Lexington 2 is expected to follow suit possibly next year as well.
So far in Lexington 1, Gilbert and River Bluff have separate football coaches and ADs. Pelion has announced the job split but has not named a new football coach.
Curtis commented on the change in a statement to The State, saying: “This decision didn’t come easy but it was the right one, and Lex1 certainly understands the heavy demands that both these separate positions carry, and splitting them is best for both the football team and the athletics department. Those areas each deserve a person who can passionately pursue excellence with 100% of their focus.”
Curtis was hired in February 2023 to coach and be the AD at his alma mater. He was a member of the Wildcats’ 2000 state championship runner-up team and was a blocking back for former South Carolina signee Demetrius Summers.
The Wildcats went 12-10 in those two seasons and made the playoffs both years.
Before Lexington, Curtis was the head coach for one season at Dorman and before that was head coach at Westwood and A.C. Flora.
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.
The school said it will begin the search for its new head football coach in the coming weeks.
“What an amazing time to be able to be the head football coach at Lexington,” Curtis said in his statement. “I love our football players, who they are as people, and how hard they work. I was blessed to coach at ‘home.’ We also have a great group of football coaches that really put kids first and I look forward to continuing to work with all these guys in future as AD.
“I love Lexington HS, it’s home and always will be. I take pride in this school and want it to be the best experience for each and every athlete and coach. I get to continue to make an impact on all Wildcats. We know we have a great situation to offer at Lexington and look forward to a bright future for our football program.“
SC High School Football Openings
School — Former Coach — New Coach
Aiken — Dwayne Garrick — TBA
Gaffney — Dan Jones (retiring at end of season) — TBA
Greenville — Jaybo Shaw — TBA
Keenan — Ray McCleod — Jarrett Neely (interim)
Laurence Manning — Robbie Briggs — TBA
Lexington — Dustin Curtis — TBA
Midland Valley — Earl Chaptman — Brent Dorn (Interim)
Nation Ford — Michael Allen — TBA
Oceanside Collegiate — Chad Wilkes — John Patterson (interim)
Pelion — Dann Holland — TBA
Southside — Roy Ravenell — TBA
Spring Valley — Nygel Pearson — TBA
West Ashley — Donnie Kiefer — TBA
West Florence — Jody Jenerette — TBA
This story was originally published December 13, 2024 at 9:21 AM.
