Swamp Foxes have Coaching Changes on Defense

By Roger Lee

Special to the HSSR

Summerville – Jeff Tate has some new defensive staff members to help him in his second season as the head coach for the Ashley Ridge Football program.

The Swamp Foxes lost their defensive coordinator from last season when Kenny Freman accepted the job of head coach for Stall. Joe Hauff, who coached the Swamp Foxes’ defensive backs, went with him. Other professional opportunities for Jarrett Johns led to his departure so AR also had to find another defensive line coach.

“They all got promotions so that’s good to see,” Tate said. “We are happy for them and have been fortunate to get some new guys here who we feel will do a great job.”

Dustin Etheridge is the new defensive coordinator.

“He has coached at a lot of places,” Tate said. “He has coached at the University of South Carolina, Newberry College and has been a head coach at a private school. He is organized, very analytical and understands how to put guys in the right positions.”

Josh Williams, who played for Tate at Byrnes, will coach the Swamp Foxes’ secondary.

“He was an exceptional player who also played at Newberry College,” Tate said. “He has been a defensive coordinator, coached the secondary and coached linebackers so we are glad to have him.”

Kreggor Clark, a former AR student who moved to Baltimore during high school and went on to play tight end and long snapper collegiately, has been brought on to coach the defensive line.

Many of the coaches from last year’s varsity staff have returned. In 2023 Tate led the team to an 8-3 season. Assistants who helped him included Ashley Haskins, Will Tate, Shaun Satterfield, Eddie Cohen, BJ Bellush, Brian Givens, Bobby Marion, Sam Dowd, Michael Monnet, Michael Harrell, Ray Wilson and David Loh.

Four head coaches for other sports have been at the school since it first opened in 2008. To date, AR has only had two head soccer coaches and they have both led multiple teams to region championships. In 2023, Nate Harris led the boys’ soccer team to the 5A State Championship. Girls’ soccer coach Mark Weaver received his 20-year service award during the 2023 Coaches Clinic.

Bellush founded the AR Baseball program and has been its head coach for all but five seasons when co-founder Givens held the “skipper” position. Bellush is also the strength and conditioning coach. Jeff Plane came to the school in 2008 as an assistant football coach and has served as the head coach for the cross country and track and field teams. This year he will focus on cross country.



Victoria Merritt has been the AR swimming coach for nine years and led multiple teams to region championships. Larissa Shannon is another long-termer. As the AR softball coach she once won six straight region titles.

Leigh-Ann Carter helped the Swamp Foxes’ volleyball team claim a region championship or co-championship the last three seasons. Boys’ basketball coach Brad Dobbels has more than 20 years of overall coaching experience. Under his leadership, the Swamp Foxes set a new school record for wins. He also coaches the boys’ golf team.

Jimmy Brown, who is entering his second year with the AR girls’ basketball team, also has more than 20 years of total experience. Others returning AR include Taea Fonkert (cheer), Blair Steed (boys’ volleyball), Satterfield (tennis), Alan Aponte (wrestling) and Saeed Jones (track and field).

Randall Tucker stepped down this summer and is the new athletic director for rival school Cane Bay.