By David Shelton
•
02 Aug, 2023
Cross – Even after a run to the Class A Lower State finals in 2022, Cross High head football coach Shaun Wright felt the need for a fresh energy in his program. Wright, who guided the Trojans to an 11-3 record last fall, made several new hires to his football coaching staff this spring and summer. “We had lots of turnover but I couldn’t be more pleased with the staff we have right now,” said Wright, who won the 2012 Class A state title. “Really good coaches and a new energy.” With new hires, Wright now has two former head coaches among his staff. New offensive coordinator Will Lampkin has been a head coach at several schools and has been coaching for nearly 30 years. Lampkin has been head coach at Darlington, Kingstree and Ridgeland-Hardeeville. He has a long history in Berkeley County, having worked at Berkeley, Stratford and Goose Creek as an assistant. Wright said Lampkin served in a volunteer role last season. Hired to coach linebackers is David Smith, who enters his 37 th year in coaching. Smith was the head coach at Orangeburg Prep in 2006-07. He is no stranger to Berkeley County, having coached at Berkeley from 1998-2006. He also has been an assistant at several schools, including Barnwell, White Knoll, Mid-Carolina and Pelion, where he recently retired. Smith says he also will coach softball in the spring. Omar Collier is the new defensive coordinator, coming over from Philip Simmons. It is Collier’s second stint at Cross, his first beginning in 2001 under Art Craig. Frank Green will coach the receivers while newcomer Jeffery Whisenhunt will coach the offensive and defensive linemen. Assisting with the linebackers is newcomer Matthew Vinson, who also comes from Pelion High School. Vinson also has been hired to take over the wrestling program. He was an assistant wrestling coach at Pelion at one point. Derrick Mack will work with the secondary on the varsity while also serving as the defensive coordinator for the junior varsity team. Stanley Hickson will be the head coach of the junior varsity. Wright, who became head coach at Cross in 2009, says the new staff has hit the ground running this summer and the 2023 team has made great strides during their workouts. The Trojans will open the 2023 season at home on Aug. 18 against Calhoun County. Quarterback Tyler Mungin and running back/linebacker Karmello Jones are among the top returners from last season.