St. George – After a decade as a teacher, coach and athletic director at Holly Hill Academy,
Michael Nelson is gearing up for his first year as the AD and football head coach at Dorchester
Academy. And it’s so far, so good.
“It’s going good,” Nelson said. “I’m kind of figuring out the lay of the land. I’m just excited to
get things rolling, get all of the kids in school and meet everybody.”
Nelson spent the last three seasons as the head coach of Holly Hill’s 8-man football team. Holly
Hill went 38-0 during his tenure, bringing home three straight SCISA state titles.
He will be transitioning to the 11-man game and will have an entire new staff of football
assistants. Helping Nelson will be Lance Brownlee, Brady Crooks, Nick Chinners and Austin Mizzell.
While new to coaching at Dorchester, all of the assistants are familiar with Dorchester.
“They are all St. George guys, all of them went to Dorchester at some point,” Nelson said.
Nelson takes over a team that went 5-6 but lost its final five games of the season. He said he’s had
around 25 student-athletes working out over the summer, although he has yet to get everyone at the
workouts at the same time. Still, he’s happy with what he’s seen.
“They’ve really bought into the weight room this summer,” he said. I’m pleased with where we
are right now."
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Dorchester, a SCISA Class A s"chool, will open its season on Friday, August 18, on the road
against South Carolina High School League Class A school Branchville.
While Nelson and his assistants are new coaches to Dorchester, all of the other head coaches are
back from last season.
Sheryle Young is back as the volleyball coach, Nick McAlhany as the boys basketbasll coach,
Callie McClure as the girls basketball coach, Brent Jackson as the baseball coach and Brian Shelton as
the softball coach.
Nelson is excited to have such a veteran staff.
“As many pieces as you can have to be in place is a good thing, especially good pieces,: Nelson
said. “I’m going to be leaning on these veteran coaches, make improvements where we can.”
Nelson will definitely have a lighter workload at Dorchester. At one time or another at Holly Hill,
Nelson was the head coach for football, baseball, volleyball, boys basketball and girls basketball. The
only sports he didn’t coach were golf and softball.
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