Marion boys basketball coach DJ Kelly is also now the athletic director
He takes over AD role from Brian Hennecy, who remains as the football head coach
Marion – There has been a shakeup at the top of the Marion High School athletic department.
Brian Hennecy, who has served as both the athletic director and football head coach for the past few seasons, is no longer the AD. That position now belongs to DJ Kelly, who will continue as the boys basketball head coach. Hennecy will continue as the football coach as well.
“Having the opportunity serve the community of Marion, the coaches of Swamp Fox athletics and the student-athletes of Marion High School is an honor and an assignment that I will not take lightly,” Kelly said. “I am beyond grateful for the blessing that God has bestowed upon me.”
An immediate chore for Kelly is to find a new girls basketball head coach as Chris Sanders will not return. Kelly is also in search of a girls tennis coach.
The rest of the coaches are returnees. Kenosha Hyman is back as the softball coach, while Hal Lambert is doing baseball again. Camilla Jones is the volleyball coach, Michael Steinbar the wrestling coach, Marty Shelley the boys soccer coach, Randall State the boys golf coach, and Leroy Bell is both the boys and girls cross country and track and field head coaches.
“The staff is strategically assembled and hungry for the greatness ahead,” Kelly said. “We will get to work immediately to enhance all athletic programs and to inspire our student-athletes that there is a pathway to your dreams right here in Marion, South Carolina.”
In football, after a run of several successful seasons, Marion finished with a 1-9 mark last season. That led to some changes on the coaching staff, the most notable being Matt Caulder taking over as the offensive coordinator.
“Coach Caulder brings a much better, fast-paced ball movement attack to this offense,” Hennecy said. “”That is something that is needed in this offense. He has great experience as on offensive coordinator from his previous position at Latta. He has coached in Marion previously and wants to be part of our program.”
Randall State will be the defensive coordinator for the second straight year. State is Hennecy’s predecessor, having coached the Swam Foxes to the 2020 AA state championship game in his final season.
Keshawn Rowell will be joined by newcomer Darry Russ in coaching the offensive line, while newcomer Rick McMahan will pair up with returner Yamasi Buey to coach the wide receivers. Demetrious Johnson will be in charge of the running backs. Caullder will coach the quarterbacks.
State will handle the linebackers with Randy Dennison coaching the safeties and Buey the cornerbacks. Rowell will coach the defensive ends, and Draper Pearson will be in charge of the defensive tackles.
“This is an excellent and experienced staff,” said Hennecy, who will be the special teams coordinator. “Most of them have been together for six years.”
Marion is scheduled to begin its season on Thursday, August 21, with a home game against Lake View. The Swamp Foxes will again be part of Region 7-AA.
