Malcolm Long Begins 4th Year As AD At Alma Mater Gaffney
Malcolm Long is the athletic director at Gaffney High School, a former star quarterback for the school and at SC State, plus the HSSR Mr. Football in 2006.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Gaffney—Gaffney High School is truly fortunate to have an athletic director like Malcolm Long, a former HSSR Mr. Football who set passing records both at Gaffney High and at SC State, where he led the Bulldogs to three straight MEAC championships.
One NFL draft expert projected Long as a possible first round draft pick after college, but it was Long himself who removed his name from the draft. I try not to live myself based on “what if’s”,” said Long. “I had a kid in college, and my priority was going to work and providing for my family.”
After college Coach Long came back to Gaffney where he coached on the varsity football team a few seasons before he was named the athletic director in 2023. He is now the athletic director for the consolidated Cherokee County School District which also takes in Blacksburg High School.
“We are very proud of our great tradition in athletics, but we also stress academics and how important it is to keep of your grades while you are participating in athletics,” said Coach Long. “We want all of our students to be prepared for life after high school, should athletics not land them scholarship opportunities.”
Coach Long said he receives a lot of support in his role as athletic director from Superintendent Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick and Gaffney Principal Shannon Gibson. “They are both very supportive of the athletic program and any time I have an issue they are always available to with sound guidance,” said Coach Long.
Coach Long is also a local pastor at the Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesville. “We invite ministers to come into the school and do devotionals with our athletes, and we work together to provide guidance and social activities for all of our students,” said Coach Long. “Our coaches care about all the students at Gaffney High, not the ones they coach.”
Coach Long said his number challenge daily is “trying to keep everyone happy.”
He and his wife Porchee’ are proud parents of sons Jamarion (15) and Malachi (12), the elder vying for time in the OL on the varsity while the youngest son is an aspiring QB.
With realignment Gaffney has come down to Class AAAA for the next two seasons. They are in region 2-AAAA with fellow members Greenville, Greer, Riverside, Travelers Rest, and Wade Hampton.
Gaffney only has two changes amongst their varsity head coaches this year. Brad “Stumpy” Phillips will be the new head baseball coach this season and former Clemson volleyball player Maggie Patterson is the new head volleyball coach. “They are both Gaffney graduates and we are excited to have both of them leading our baseball and volleyball programs this season,” said Coach Long.
Last year was Donnie Littlejohn’s first season as the Indians head coach following the retirement of former head coach Dan Jones who retired after the 2024 season. Littlejohn was an outstanding offensive lineman at Gaffney, and he went on to a successful college career at Furman.
Gaffney has a new face on the varsity football coaching staff as former Goose Creek head coach Jason Winstead will coach running backs this season. Gaffney graduate Kevin Phillips returns as the Associate head coach and ILB coach, and he also helps players with recruiting matters. The assistant head coach and defensive coordinator is Randy Birch. The offensive coordinator is Brad Van Horn.
Other offensive assistants include Wayne Starkes who will work with QB’s, and Jeff Allen who will work with centers and guards in the OL. Brad Phillips and Andrew Hinchliffe will coach wide receivers. Matt McMahon will coach H-backs, tight ends and offensive tackles.
Turning to defense, Ian Cooper will mentor OLB’s while Brandon Mullins and Brennen Canupp will work with DB’s. The special teams coach and junior varsity head coach is Brandon Thoms. Cody Rackley will work with the junior varsity OL and the DFO is Scott Farmer.
Gaffney has a 9th grade team that serves like a junior varsity team. Julian Wright is the head coach. Jeff Osment serves as the RB/QB coach while Wright Parker is the OL coach. Tyler Belue is the DC/DL coach and Joe Littlejohn works with LB’s. Quinton Hemphill oversees 9th grade DB’s.
Gaffney will start the season on August 21 with a home game against Spartanburg. Earlier in August the Indians will scrimmage Hillcrest, Northwestern, and Clover.
Gaffney has two football players, in particular getting national recruiting interest. Rising sophomore Kiante Morgan (6-4, 245) has offers from Georgia and Tennessee while rising junior DB Zion Dawkins (5-11, 190) comes into the season with 15 major college offers including Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Duke, and Boston College, among others.
Other returning head varsity coaches are Charles Blue (boys’ basketball), Julian Wright (girl’s basketball); Lawanda Moorer (boy’s and girl’s cross country & boy’s and girl’s track); Jasmine Smith (Competitive Cheer); Zach Bridges (boy’s golf); Tina Frye (girl’s golf), Scott Simmons (boys’ soccer); Lily Cazel (girls’ soccer); Maddie Pruitt (softball); Neeley Swofford (boy’s swimming); Kelly Ellis (girl’s swimming; David Reams (boy’s tennis); Kenny Harris (girl’s tennis) and Daniel Grellman returns as the wrestling coach.
