Cross continues success despite changes

Cross – It is not unusual for the smaller high schools in South Carolina to go through coaching changes on a yearly basis.

Coaches are always looking for better opportunities and men on the small school level often jump at the chance to move up to bigger programs and/or bigger roles.

Cross High head football coach Shaun Wright has had to replace members of his varsity staff over the last few years. Yet, despite change, to Trojans have continued to be very successful in Class A football. Cross is 22-5 over the last two years.

Wright is somewhat of a Cross High lifer. He graduated from the school in 1995. After a playing career at Charleston Southern, Wright returned to coach at Cross before spending a few years at Timberland High.

Wright was hired as the Cross head coach and athletic director in 2009 and has remained the figure head over the years.

As has been the case the last two years, Wright had to fill a few coaching openings on his staff when three assistants left. No sweat for Wright.

New football hires include inside linebackers coach Mike McHoney and new outside linebackers coach Jack Hamilton. McHoney was a star player at Macedonia High about the same time that Wright was playing at Cross. He has coached at several area schools while maintaining a job outside of teaching.

Hamilton coached at Fort Dorchester last season and has coaching in his blood. His father, Fred Hamilton, is a long-time high school coach in the Lowcountry.

“When we have openings, I try to find guys who are the right fit for our program,” Wright said. “We don’t just hire anyone. We have a good chemistry within the staff and we want guys who are going to make us better. I’m very confident in the guys we have coaching on our staff. I wouldn’t trade them for anyone.”

Returning to the staff is line coach Jeffrey Whisenhunt and defensive coordinator Omar Collier. This is Collier’s second stint at Cross. He also coached at Cross 24 years ago and has coached in several programs since.

Cross athletic director Matthew Bradberry is beginning his third year. Chaquain Boone is returning as the varsity boys basketball coach after taking the Trojans to the Lower State finals last season.

Angela Hall is returning as the girls basketball coach and Krista Rodgers will again coach the volleyball team. Another valuable piece of the athletic staff is trainer Cortney Bowers.