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Spivey handing over reins to football program to son at Pee Dee Academy
By David Shelton
Staff Writer
Mullins – There comes a time when every coach decides that the daily grind of teaching and preparing a team for battle becomes too much. For Pee Dee Academy football coach Lon Spivey, that time has come.
Spivey recently announced he is stepping down as the football coach at Pee Dee after 23 seasons. He has been at the school for nearly 35 years and will continue to teach and serve as the school’s athletic director.
Spivey also announced that he is handing over the reins to the football program to someone very familiar to the program – his son. The 2010 season will be the first for the school’s new head coach, Splinter Spivey.
“I still love the game and I enjoy the kids but honestly, it’s time to pass the torch on to a younger guy and let him make his mark,” said Spivey recently. “Splinter is the obvious choice. He’s been here all of his life and he knows this program better than anyone. He has been doing a lot of the coaching here anyway in the last few years.”
Spivey plans to continue to assist his son in a consulting role, agreeing to work some with the defense. But, he stresses that this program will be his son’s.
“I’m going to stay out of the way as much as I can but I’ll be there in a support role if he needs me,” said Spivey. “I want him to take the program and do as he sees fit. I trust him totally with the program. He’s a good young football coach and the players will certainly play hard for him. This is the perfect time to make this change.”
Assisting with the football program will be another Spivey, older brother Stump, along with Thomas Hunter. A new assistant football coach this season will be Jimmy Maners, a former punter at Clemson. Maners will also coach junior varsity basketball and golf.
Jonathan King will be the head junior varsity football coach and will assume the duties of varsity boys basketball coach this winter. Coach Jerry Coleman will return as the girl’s basketball coach and Bill Rogers will return as the softball coach.
Back to coach the volleyball team this fall is Lori Ann Rogers. Tommy Nolan is the track coach and Splinter Spivey will continue as the baseball coach.
Cathy Steadman will coach girl’s tennis this fall. The new varsity cheerleading coach is Susan Baker while Sam King will head up the junior varsity cheer program.
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