Mizzell named athletic director at Blythewood

After nearly three decades as a baseball coach, Barry Mizzell’s moving to the next phase of his career.

Mizzell was approved as the new athletics director at Blythewood on Tuesday. He replaces Vince Lowry, who announced in February he would be stepping down. Mizzell has been the only baseball coach at Blythewood since it opened in 2005.

“It has been in the back of my mind the last few years but I didn’t think it would come this quickly,” Mizzell said. “I had been talking to coach Lowry and thought it was good time for new challenge. I put a lot into the school and the baseball program and want to help our school move forward in different areas.”

Mizzell retires with a career record of 480-243. Blythewood went 15-10 this year and lost in the district semifinals.

Under Mizzell, the Bengals won five region championships, advanced to three Upper State championships and made it to the 2013 state championship before losing to Lexington.

Blythewood won a school-record 27 games in 2013.

“Coaching has been my DNA and it is all I have ever done. So I am going to miss the competition the most,” Mizzell said.

Before coming to Blythewood, Mizzell was coach at Orangeburg Prep for two seasons and won a SCISA state title. Then, he spent 14 seasons at Richland Northeast. The Cavaliers won six region titles and appeared in back-to-back state finals in 2000-01, winning it all in 2001.

Mizzell was named South Carolina coach of year in 1995 and 2003.

The search for Mizzell’s successor will begin immediately and he said hopes to have someone in place, “as soon as possible.”

“This has been my baby I am not going to turn it over to just anyone,” Mizzell said.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 8:29 PM.