Bryan set to continue winning tradition at Thomas Heyward
Thomas Heyward Athletic director Logan Thomas is "excited to have coach Bryan as our head football coach."
Bryan set to continue winning tradition at Thomas Heyward
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Ridgeland – It is not uncommon for small community schools to promote from within when there is an opening in the coaching ranks. And, often times, the new head coach is a product of the program as a former player.
Thomas Heyward Academy had a late opening for its head football coaching position when former coach Taylor Malphrus accepted a position at another school. Hired as his replacement is former player and assistant coach Daniel Bryan.
Bryan is a 2002 graduate of Thomas Heyward. As an offensive lineman, Bryan was named the SCISA player of the year for the 2001 season. He is still believed to be the first and only offensive lineman to win the award in SCISA.
Bryan played collegiately at Mars Hill and spent some time in the arena football league before giving up his playing days.
Bryan, who works for the Dixie crystal plant in Georgia, spent some time as an assistant under Nic Shuford over a decade ago but got of coaching when he started his family. Bryan returned as an assistant midway through last season.
“I know the school, the community and the program very well,” Bryan said. “It’s a winning program (won the state championship in SCISA class A in 2024) and the support from the community and administration is very strong. We have great kids here and we are looking forward to the season.”
Bryan was a late candidate for the job as he wasn’t particularly looking to be the head coach. He got the job just before the end of school and has been playing catch up with the players this summer.
Thomas Heyward will again be one of the favorites in class A. Bryan was able to keep several of the team’s top players in the program. Among those is star running back Tony O’banner, considered one of the top players in all of SCISA.
“There was a lot of talk that several kids were transferring when everything was in limbo but they’re all staying,” Bryan said. “We will have seven seniors leading the way.”
Athletic director Logan Thomas is very comfortable with Bryan as coach. The hope is that the new coach can bring some consistency to the program as he is the fourth coach in four years.
“We are very excited to have coach Bryan as our head football coach,” said Thomas, also a new athletic director. “He also knows our culture and our community and he knows our players. Coach Bryan will continue our winning tradition.”
