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Mullins football coach heading to Spring Valley

Mullins High School football coach Miles Aldridge talks to his team after playing two quarters in the Lake View Jamboree before the 2009 regular season.

By Naeem Mcfadden
Published: December 22, 2009

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After just one season, Mullins High School varsity football head coach Miles Aldridge has accepted an offer to become the new head coach at Spring Valley High School.

Vikings athletic director Tim Hunter said, “easily Aldridge topped his list” after receiving more than 65 applications for the job.

Aldridge made the decision Tuesday morning after a discussion with district officials.

“I wasn’t looking for a job, I’m perfectly happy in Mullins with no complaints,” Aldridge said, adding that, personally he had to take into account what’s best for his family.

With just seven weeks to go before the beginning of the 2009 football season, the Former University of Central Florida assistant coach was hired as the Aucs new football coach and athletic director.

This past season, the Aucs finished 5-6, clinching a Class 2A playoff berth after a two-year drought.

A native of Columbia, Aldridge returns home with more than 25 years of collegiate coaching experience.

“I don’t know if it makes it any easier to leave for Columbia, at this stage I’m not looking for a lot. I just want to coach, be happy and spend time with my grandson,” Aldridge said.

Gail P. Fowler, director of personnel for Marion School District 2, said there were around 15 applicants for the job with “top-notch” candidates, but that she felt Aldridge’s various levels of football coaching experience and ideas as athletic director made him ideal for the job.

Mullins High School is now searching for the fourth coach in five years for an Auctioneers program looking for stability.

Aldridge said at this stage of his career his main joy is simply coaching football and enjoyed every minute of it in Mullins.

“Everything during the season were great moments and it was about help-ing the players improve and get better with ever game,” he said.

Aldridge said he will talk with his team after the winter break and will be finishing out the school year.