Smith doing swimmingly in S.C.

Chad Smith talks to members of his Green Wave team. 
(click on photo to enlarge)

Chad Smith, who served as an assistant coach at Rocky Mount and as head coach at Northern Nash, has turned his old rival Easley High School in Easley, S.C. into a 4-A power in the Palmetto State. 

Smith attended high school at neighboring Pickens High School.

He was recently recognized by the S.C. Football Coaches Association as the Upper State 4-A Coach of the Year. 

In his second year as head coach of the Green Wave, Smith led Easley (11-2) to its first 10-win season since 1997 and broke the single-season scoring record. Prior to Smith's tenure, Easley had won 18 games in a five-year span. Since Smith began coaching the Green Wave in 2010, Easley has won 20 games (20-6).

"I think it proves that we have an administration that gives me all the support I need, I think it proves that we have a great group of kids, and I think it proves that I have a great coaching staff," Smith told local media after receiving the award. "Easley is a special place."

Smith's Easley High School will soon have new digs. Just like Rocky Mount High, Easley will move to a brand new campus next fall complete with a spanking new football stadium. The $36 million campus can accommodate 1,800 students.

Gryphon alum Britt Johnson, who coaches baseball at nearby Lander University in Greenwood, S.C., has been able to see Smith's teams the last two seasons and he likes what he sees.

Sadly, it was Greenwood High School that handed Smith his only two losses this past season, including the one that knocked Easley out of the S.C. state playoffs.