AC Flora assistant to take over Ben Lippen football program
Bennett Weigle is getting another shot at being a head football coach.
Ben Lippen has hired Weigle as its next head football coach. He replaces Stephen Cagle, who left after one season to become co-offensive coordinator at Dorman with former AC Flora coach Dustin Curtis.
“I knew I’d like to be a head coach again but wasn’t looking to rush back into it. Ben Lippen just presented an incredible opportunity for my family and me,” Weigle told The State. “Coach Glenn and the administration are serious about building a championship program, and I feel like all of the ingredients are there for us to be successful.”
Weigle was AC Flora’s defensive coordinator the past three seasons and was a candidate for the Flora opening but withdrew his name from consideration. AC Flora named offensive coordinator Ken Floyd its new coach on Friday.
This will be Weigle’s second head-coaching opportunity. He was the head coach at Richland Northeast from 2017-18 before stepping down after a 4-16 record. Before being RNE head coach, he was an assistant there for eight years and part of the Cavaliers’ first region championship in more than a decade.
Weigle has been at AC Flora since 2019 and was the defensive coordinator on the Falcons’ 2020 Class 4A state championship team.
“The past three years at Flora were fantastic. We obviously reached the top of the mountain, but I also built lasting friendships, especially with Dustin and Ken,” Weigle said. “I learned so much from those guys and am so excited for them as they begin new journeys as well.”
Under Weigle, Flora has had one of the top defenses in the state. The Falcons allowed just 81 points in nine games in winning the state championship in 2020. Last season, Flora gave up just 13 points a game in reaching the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Ben Lippen went 1-10 this year and lost in the first round of the playoffs to SCISA Class 3A runner-up Trinity Collegiate. Before last season, they made it to the second round of the postseason the two previous years.
“He has a brilliant football mind and is well-respected in South Carolina among his peers,” Ben Lippen athletic director Shannon Glenn said. “We are confident he will make a positive impact on our student-athletes, student body and the Ben Lippen community as a whole.”
Weigle will finish his teaching duties at AC Flora for rest of the year but will be involved at Ben Lippen for spring practice. He plans to announce an offensive coordinator soon and will meet with the coaching staff next week.
The Ben Lippen hire leaves Airport, Dreher and Westwood without head coaches. Airport has begun interviews for its replacement for Kirk Burnett. Dreher and Westwood hope to have their new coaches in place within the next few weeks.
SC High School Football Openings
School — Former Coach — New Coach
AC Flora — Dustin Curtis— Ken Floyd
Airport — Kirk Burnett — TBA
Bamberg-Ehrhardt — Robert Williams — Corey Crosby
Batesburg-Leesville — Gary Adams — Gene Cathcart
Ben Lippen — Stephen Cagle — Bennett Weigle
Bethune Bowman — Glen Darby — Cody McNeal
Blackville-Hilda — Brandon Isaac — TBA
Bluffton — John Houpt— Hayden Gregory
Boiling Springs — Rick Tate — Matt Reel
Dorman — Dave Guttshall — Dustin Curtis
Dreher — Treigh Sullivan - TBA
Hilton Head Prep — Dave Adams — TBA
Lamar — Chad Wilkes — TBA
Lewisville — Will Mitchell — Leon Boulware
Newberry — Phil Strickland — Cedrick Jeter
North Augusta — Jim Bob Bryant — Matt Quinn
North Myrtle Beach — Matt Reel — TBA
Oceanside Collegiate — Joe Call — Chad Wilkes
South Pointe — DeVonte Holloman — TBA
Stall — Joe Bessinger — Benjamin Lailson
Strom Thurmond — Antwaun Hillary — Andrew Webb
Travelers Rest — Ray Gould — TBA
Westwood — Matt Quinn — TBA
Whitmire — Charlie Jenkins — TBA
This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 5:08 PM.
