Jason Seidel won’t return as Blythewood football coach. Here’s what we know
Jason Seidel won’t return next season as Blythewood High School football coach.
Sources with direct knowledge of the situation told The State that Seidel won’t be back for a sixth season.
Blythewood principal Matt Sherman released a statement to parents and players on Tuesday afternoon.
“I met with our players and coaches today during lunch to share this update with them and to share our plans during this transition,” Sherman wrote. “I have also reminded all of our student-athletes to remain focused on their number one priority… academics. I ask that you help me echo this priority and keep our players focused on improving themselves and contributing to the Bengal Football culture.
“Throughout this transition, we will all remain committed to our core values of showing respect, taking responsibility, and building relationships. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me anytime.”
No reason was given for Seidel’s dismissal. The State reached out to him to request comment. The school is expected to start taking applications for Seidel’s replacement as soon as Wednesday.
In the interim, assistant Tim Garifalon will serve as head of Blythewood Football Operations and coach Michael Aimonee will be leading the team’s strength and conditioning during the open season.
Seidel is coming off his best season as the Bengals’ head coach this year. Blythewood won the Region 3-5A championship and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Byrnes on a last-second field goal. It was the Bengals’ first region title since 2012.
Seidel went 26-22 in his five seasons at Blythewood.
In 2019, he received a one-week suspension and a reprimand from the Richland 2 school district as punishment for recruiting violations.
Before Blythewood, the New York native was 23-6 his final two seasons at Hickory Ridge in North Carolina and led the Ragin’ Bulls to a school-record 12 victories in 2016 before losing in the fourth round of the 3A playoffs. Hickory Ridge moved up to Class 4A and went 11-3 before losing to Vance in the third round of the playoffs.
Prior to coaching at Hickory Ridge, Seidel was an assistant coach in North Carolina at Wilmington’s Laney High School, Mount Pleasant High, Charlotte’s Phillip O. Berry Academy and at Ashbrook High in Gastonia.
Blythewood will be the third team to have a new football coach next year in Region 3-5A. Spring Valley has a new coach in Nygel Pearson and Perry Woolbright left Lexington to become coach at Clover, his alma mater.
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This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 1:11 PM.
