Mullins High School hires new varsity football coach

MULLINS -- Mullins High School has ended its search for its fourth varsity football coach in six years.

Mullins native and former assistant coach Gregory Hill, 29, takes over for the Auctioneers program. It will be his first head-coaching job.

Marion School Dist. 2 board of trustees approved a recommendation to offer Hill the position of athletic director and head coach after an executive session on March 4.

Hill is a 1999 graduate from Mullins High School and former varsity baseball and football player, playing pitcher and infielder along with the quarterback position. He also played baseball at Coker College, graduating in 2004.

Since 2004, Hill has been an assistant coach on the varsity program, starting as a special teams and quarterback coach, to junior varsity head coach in 2005.

Hill has been the offensive coordinator on the varsity squad since 2008.

The past two years he has been an athletic director at Palmetto Middle School where he works as a Social Studies teacher.

“This job is very important to me, but it is not about me. This job is all about helping young people succeed through academics, athletics, and in life,” Hill said. “Mullins is a great community with great people that care about Mullins High School and its students,” he said, adding that he is extremely passionate about program and it will be exemplified through his love for the student-athletes and the athletic program.

Acting Marion School Dist. 2 Superintendent Nancy Graham confirmed that he take over for Miles Aldridge on July 1. After just one season, Mullins High School varsity football head coach Miles Aldridge accepted an offer to become the new head coach at Spring Valley High School on Dec. 22.

Hill said the program has had so much change recently that he wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“We will stress the importance of getting in the weight room. I want our kids to be bigger, stronger, and faster and I have a few workout programs from colleges that have been tweaked for us to use,” he said. “I do not foresee very many changes in the style of offense and defense we ran this past year. Of course, there will be a few additions to our philosophy.”

Hill also said that the coaching staff would evaluate the players and match the style of offense and defense that gives team their best chance to win. “Most importantly, we are going to stress the concept of being a family,” Hill said, adding that the major goal is a state championship and many more to be set each year. “We cannot accomplish anything until we are all together and I plan to involve the community more as well,” he said.

“I would like to see Mullins flags being flown on Main Street on game days. The community plays a major role in the success of our athletic program,” Hill said.
This past season, the Aucs finished 5-6, clinching a Class 2A playoff berth after a two-year drought.

“We have tons of experience coming back. The most exciting thing is the character of the kids we have returning,” Hill said. “This group is very respectful, hard working, and eager to learn.”

The new coach is also excited about the return of key players on the offensive line, along with a veteran quarterback and speed at the skill positions. Defensively, Hill looking forward to the production of a few junior varsity players moving up to the varsity level.

“Our motto is One Team, One Focus,” Hill said.
According to Personnel Director Gail P. Fowler, there were 23 applicants for the Mullins coaching job and five candidates were interviewed.

Hill is married to Casey Hill from Pelion, a kindergarten teacher and the two are expecting their first child any day now.

Hill’s parents Donnie and Susie Hill are also graduates from Mullins High School and are members of the school’s athletic booster club.