Out with old, in with new at Myrtle Beach High

Scott Earley came to Myrtle Beach, and brought a once-proud program back to prominence.  He now has the opportunity to do that again.  Earley officially took over as head coach and athletic director at Chapin High School on Monday.

Thursday Earley told his team he was leaving, and Myrtle Beach High principal Nona Kerr announced that Earley was taking the job.  But it did not become official until the Chapin School Board voted for it on Monday.  It’s a quick turnaround - Earley leaves Tuesday to take his new position.

Chapin first contacted Earley in early March about the position.  The school went through ten finalists before deciding on Earley last week.  Then it was up to him to make the decision if he wanted to leave, which he said was not an easy one, and that the “stay list was longer than the go list.“

But, Earley said Monday that the number one reason for the move was because of his family.  Even though he may have the chance to win multiple state championships at Myrtle Beach, Earley felt it was important to move to a place that was closer to some of his family, and would also be a dramatic increase in salary.  Earley has two sons, 10 and 6, who will stay in Myrtle Beach with his wife until the end of the year.

Earley won 72 games in 8 seasons at Myrtle Beach, including last year’s 14-1 state championship season.  While key players Brad Spivey, Jamere Valentine and Demazio Skelton graduated, the cupboard is far from bare.

Firstly, other then the head man changing, the staff remains the same.  Offensive coordinator Mickey Wilson takes over the reins as head coach.  Wilson was an assistant for seven years at Myrtle Beach and takes his first head coaching job.  Wilson said he never pictured himself as a head coach, but he’s excited for the opportunity to lead one of the top AAA programs in the state.  Wilson says the number one thing he learned from Earley was his ability to communicate with student athletes.  And while the two have different personalities, Wilson believes the transition will be “seamless”.

As for players, Earley said it was to walk away from one of the best players in the state of South Carolina.  Soon-to-be junior quarterback Everett Golson projects to be one of the top prospects in the state, and maybe even the country, by the time he becomes a senior.  Golson said of the change, “At first I was upset, but after I found out why he left I understand.  Coach Wilson was my coach, so I’m pretty all right with it.“ 

It will be trial by fire for Wilson.  In 2009, Myrtle Beach plays at Byrnes, at Dillon, at Hartsville and at Conway all in a row.  The Seahawks will also have the challenge of playing every day with the bullseye on their back, of being reigning state champions.  But Wilson is ready for the challenge. 

And Earley is ready for his too.