Mark Snelgrove looks to turn Chapin High basketball program around
After turning around the Midland Valley basketball program, Mark Snelgrove hopes to do the same at Chapin.
Snelgrove was introduced as the new Eagles’ boys basketball coach Thursday and replaces John Goodale, who stepped down after two seasons.
“I like to take things that you can build up,” Snelgrove said. “And I wouldn’t have taken this job if I didn’t think we could win here.”
This will be Snelgrove’s fifth head coaching stop. He also coached at Buford, Belton Honea-Path, Lewisville and Midland Valley.
Snelgrove said several factors went into his decision to leave Midland Valley. For starters, it was closer to home for him. He is a Lexington High School graduate and was living in Lexington during his tenure at Midland Valley.
The 56-year-old turned the Mustangs, who went winless the year before he arrived, into state title contenders. Midland Valley defeated A.C. Flora to win the Class 3A crown in 2015 and lost in the championship this year to the Falcons. Snelgrove also was named South Carolina Basketball Coach of the Year by the S.C. coaches association.
In 10 seasons at Midland Valley, Snelgrove went 152-110, including a 44-13 mark the past two seasons. The Mustangs started off 3-7 this year but won 16 of 17 games before losing in the title game.
Chapin is coming off a 7-16 season and missed out on the postseason for the third consecutive year. But Snelgrove doesn’t think the program isfar off from being competitive despite being in the same region as traditional powerhouses A.C. Flora, Lower Richland and Dreher.
“I talked with coach Goodale and they are ahead of teams where I have taken over,” Snelgrove said. “It is just a matter if they are willing to take it to the next level.”
Snelgrove said one of the biggest challenges is getting into the middle schools and creating excitement for the program and getting kids that want to put the extra time into program.
“At Midland Valley, our best players were also our hardest workers,” Snelgrove said. “We need to have guys like that that are willing to take the next step. We might have to have a few 6 a.m. practices here and there to see that.”
Snelgrove will be one of two new basketball coaches at Chapin next year. Assistant coach Craig Taylor will be promoted to girls’ head coach. He takes over for Chad Boland. The Chapin girls went 11-8 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Greer this past season.
This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 12:43 PM with the headline "Mark Snelgrove looks to turn Chapin High basketball program around."