Chapin looking for new football coach. Here’s what we know
There is a first high school football coach opening in the Midlands.
Chapin High coach Ryan Cole has stepped down after two seasons, the school said in an email sent to parents Wednesday. Cole will remain at Chapin and as an assistant principal.
“Coach Cole brings a wealth of educational and leadership experience to CHS, including time as a teacher and administrator in our district,” the school said in the email.
Last season, there were 13 coaching changes in the area. Cole’s is the first of this offseason.
Cole was hired in 2024 and replaced longtime coach Justin Gentry.
Chapin went 6-6 in Cole’s first season and made it to the second round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs. The Eagles went 0-10 this season, the school’s first winless year since 1998.
Chapin was hurt by injuries and lost some of its top players via transfers. The Eagles also have been in the same region with likes of state championship programs. Dutch Fork, Irmo and White Knoll. Dutch Fork has won four straight Class 5A Division I titles while Irmo has played in two title games and White Knoll one in recent years.
Before being head coach, Cole was the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in two different stints from 2001-08 and from 2022-23. He also was Chapin’s safeties coach from 2012-13 and from 2017-20 and at Dutch Fork from 2010-12 and 2014-16.
“He has consistently proven himself to be a supportive servant leader who believes deeply in the power of building strong relationships and offering respect and dignity to all whom he is charged with supporting and leading,” Chapin principal Ed Davis said in the email. “His development and deep involvement with our Chapin Athletic Leadership Institute (C.A.L.I.) demonstrate his passion for helping young people become the best version of themselves. These qualities, along with his high work ethic, will serve him well in his new role.”
SC Football Coaching Openings
School — Former Coach — New Coach
Chapin — Ryan Cole — TBA
Colleton County — Adam Kinloch — TBA
Conway — Josh Pierce — TBA
Lake Wylie — (School opens in 2026) — N/A — TBA
Liberty — Paul Sutherland — TBA
McCormick — Leroy Collier — TBA
Ninety-Six — Matthew Bennett — TBA
North Myrtle Beach — Greg Hill — TBA
Union County — Quinnon Isom — Bryan Robinson
Wagener-Salley — Blaze Gillespie — TBA
Whale Branch — Willie White (interim) — TBA
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM.
