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Head Coaches Announced for West Florence and Wilson

Head Coaches Announced for West Florence and Wilson

West Florence High School and Wilson High School introduced new Varsity Head Football Coaches Friday afternoon during events at the schools. 

Coach Wilkes comes to Knight Nation with an impressive coaching career spanning seven seasons, Coach Wilkes joins us after leading teams at CE Murray, Lamar High School, and Oceanside Collegiate Academy. Coach Wilson comes to Tiger Town as a seasoned coach with 9 years of experience in high school football, wrestling, and track. 

Coach Wilkes
West Florence High School is thrilled to announce the hiring of Chad Wilkes as the new Varsity Head Football Coach. With an impressive coaching career spanning seven seasons, Coach Wilkes joins us after leading teams at CE Murray, Lamar High School, and Oceanside Collegiate Academy.

Coach Wilkes boasts a stellar head coaching record of 66-20 and has played a pivotal role in elevating program success at every school where he has served. Most notably, he led Oceanside Collegiate Academy to its first State Championship and its first Lower State Championship. Additionally, Coach Wilkes has secured six region championships and made two appearances in the Upper State Championships.

His accolades further highlight his exceptional coaching ability, including:

  • Friday Night Lights Coach of the Year
  • Lowcountry Coach of the Year (2021, 2022, and 2023)
  • Class AA Region 7 Coach of the Year (2022, 2023)
  • Class A Region 2 Coach of the Year (2017, 2019, 2020)
  • Class A Region 5 Coach of the Year (2018)

We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Wilkes to the West Florence family. His track record of success on the field and his commitment to student-athletes academic and personal growth make him a perfect fit for our program. We look forward to seeing the impact he will make both in the classroom and on the field.

Coach Wilkes is married to Joy Wilkes, and they have a 10-month-old daughter, Lily Anne. He is excited to become a part of the West Florence community and is eager to help foster a culture of excellence among our student-athletes.

Coach Wilson

A proud alumnus of Sumter High School, Coach Wilson has dedicated his career to developing student-athletes both on and off the field. Currently, he serves as the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at his alma mater, where his leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping a competitive and disciplined football program.

Wilson’s athletic journey began as a standout at Sumter High School and continued at Presbyterian College, where he was a four-year starter at cornerback. He graduated from Presbyterian in 2011, earning his degree and laying the foundation for his coaching and teaching career.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Wilson is a Physical Education and Strength and Conditioning teacher, focusing on the holistic development of his students’ physical and mental well-being. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and resilience, which he instills in his players across all sports he coaches.

Wilson is married to Lovetta Wilson, and they have three children: Brian Wilson II, Brendon Wilson, and Brielle Wilson. He enjoys spending time with his family and is dedicated to supporting his players and community.

Please join us in welcoming Coach Wilkes and Coach Wilson to the Florence 1 Schools family.