Tristany Radford takes over Camden volleyball program
Radford succeeds Paige Wilson, who retired after 32 years as head coach
Camden – Tristany Radford knows that she has some big shoes to fill. Fortunately for her, she has spent the past decade studying and learning how to fill those shoes.
Radford is taking over the Camden High School volleyball program following the retirement of legendary head coach Paige Wilson, who she served as an assistant coach for 10 years.
“I was her right-hand man the last 10 years, and I was with her as her No. 2, helping to train me to move me into this position,” Radford said.
Wilson was the head coach for 32 years and led the Bulldogs to the state playoffs in 30 of those seasons. Camden played for the lower state championship on eight different occasions, winning five of those to advance to the state championship match. Wilson coached Camden to two state titles.
While wanting to maintain what Wilson has built over the decades, Radford is hoping to take the program to another level.
“I’m excited to start a fresh era of Camden volleyball,” Radford said. “I’ve got big shoes to fill, and I hope to bring a fresh air to honor everything she’s done. I’m looking forward to being able to bring a new, competitive edge to the program.
“I’ve coached big clubs in Columiba. My coaching staff, some of them have played college volleyball, so they know what the next level looks like. We kind of know how to help get them there. The game has developed and changed. We’ll be bringing a more up-to-date game style. I want to build uniformity in the program.”
There will be four other new varsity head coaches on the staff this season. Nolan Hunter will be the new softball coach, taking over for Lynn Looney.
Emma Morrison will take over the girls and boys swim teams, and Austin Spolski will be the girls cross country coach. The boys and girls track and field coach will be Joey Hendrix. Camden is still in the process of securing someone to coach both the boys and girls tennis programs.
Brian Rimpf will be back as the athletic director and football head coach. Rimpf has had to reshuffle his staff a bit with some of his assistants moving on.
The most noteworthy change will be at offensive coordinator. Louis Clyburn is now the head coach at Brookland-Cayce, so Savionn Wingate is the new OC and will continue to coach the running backs.
Josh Council will coach the quarterbacks, while veteran Calvin McRoy will handle the tight ends. Roland Matthews will coach the offensive line, and newcomer Davea Cauthen will coach the wide receivers.
Joey Hendrix is back as the defensive coordinator. Also returning to the staff are co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Cedrick Malone, defensive ends coach Denny Beckley, inside linebackers coach PJ Davis, defensive tackle coach Marshall Minich and outside linebackers coach Demarius Alexander. Newcomers to the staff are Lamar Keitt, who will assist with the cornerbacks, and Quan Morris, who will assist with the safeties.
Beckley will be back as the baseball coach. He guided Camden to the playoffs for the 22nd time in 25 seasons.
Sterling Council is returning for his fifth season as boys basketball head coach, while Lewis Mungo is back for his second year heading up girls basketball. William Connell will be back for his fourth season in charge of the wrestling program.
Matt Spolski returns as the boys cross country coach, while Matt McCarley will again be the girls golf head coach. Clayton Daniels will coach the boys.
Tiffany Ellis and Hannah Braddock will be in charge of the competitive cheer team, Jerry Jones will be the boys soccer coach, and Paul Ahern will be the girls soccer head coach.
