Lewis has a seasoned group of Ashley Ridge coaches
Kelly Lewis is entering his second year as the Ashley Ridge athletic director.
By Roger Lee
HSSR Contributing Writer
Summerville – Ashley Ridge teams are entering their second school year under the guidance of Athletic Director Kelly Lewis.
After 34 years as an educator, coach and administrator in North Carolina, Kelly was recruited by Ashley Ridge. He replaced Randall Tucker prior to the 2024-25 school year when Tucker left to become the AD at Cane Bay.
His first year at AR had its ups and downs, but Lewis is excited about returning.
“Overall, we have a strong coaching staff at ARHS,” Lewis said. “Some of our coaches have been here since the school opened and (last year) we added some region and lower state championships. We have also hired some new coaches.”
Prior to coming to AR, Lewis was the district athletic director for New Hanover County Schools in Wilmington, N.C. and was inducted into the N.C. Athletic Director's Association Hall of Fame in 2024. His background is in physical education.
He was also an assistant football coach and spent five years as a head baseball coach when he lived in Charlotte.
“I'm entering my 23rd year in athletic administration,” he said. “In my second year at AR, we will begin to look at creating an ARHS Athletic Hall of Fame and I would like to also begin a student athlete leadership team with the help of the coaching staff.”
The AR varsity staff has three new coaches.
Shane Calvert now heads the Girls Soccer program. He has coached at Lees McRae and Tusculum and had a stop at Clemson. He replaces the school’s original girls’ coach, Mark Weaver.
Brittany Farrell replaces Leigh-Ann Carter as the head of the Girls Volleyball program. Farrell most recently served as the interim head coach for USC.
Noelle Hauck is the new head of the Girls Tennis program.
“They have experience and we are thrilled to add such quality coaches to our staff,” Lewis said.
Ashley Haskins, who for the past two seasons served as the assistant head coach of the AR Football program and worked with offensive linemen, is serving as interim head coach in the absence of Jeff Tate.
Three head coaches for other sports have been at the school since it first opened in 2008.
Nate Harris, the original Boys Soccer coach, led the Swamp Foxes to the 5A State Championship in 2023 and to a Lower State Championship in 2025.
BJ Bellush founded the AR Baseball program and has been its head coach for all but five seasons when co-founder Brian 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 now serves as the head coach for the Cross Country teams.
Victoria Merritt has been the AR Swimming coach for 10 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. 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 third year with the AR girls’ basketball team, has more than 20 years of total experience. Others returning include Taea Fonkert (cheer), Blair Steed (boys’ volleyball), Alan Aponte (wrestling) Ron McNally (girls golf), Alyx Sisofo (Sports Medicine) and Saeed Jones (track and field).
