Dillon Christian names Chris Alphrin as new football head coach

Dillon – Chris Alphrin is 25 years old, and he’s the new football head coach for Dillon Christian School. He said he owes the opportunity to Donell Stanley, the coach he succeeded at Dillon Christian.

“It means a lot to be in this position,” said Alphrin, who was the defensive coordinator for the Warriors. “He took this college kid and gave him his first job. I feel like this is my opportunity to repay them for taking that chance on me. I feel like I need to prove those guys right and pay something back to Dillon Christian.”

Alphrin takes over a team that went 2-6-1 in the final of two years for Stanley, the former University of South Carolina and National Football League offensive lineman. The Warriors went 5-14-1 under Stanley, who is now an assistant coach with former Byrnes High School head coach and South Carolina assistant Bobby Bentley at a Tennessee high school.

“I know Donell really went to bat for me,” Alphrin said. “I’m thankful that they are giving me this chance.”

Alphrin will be assisted by Landry Collins, Charlie Wright, Jameson Stallings and Diaz Alexander. Also helping out in an unofficial capacity will be Marty McIntyre.

“He still knows more football than anybody there,” Alphrin said of McIntyre.

Alphrin is excited about being a head coach with the Warriors ready to begin their season on August 22 with a home game against Florence Christian School.
 

“The responsibility grows even more the closer we get to the season,” he said. “Where I was once over a position group, now I’m having to manage all things. I’m managing a staff that’s the greatest staff. That makes it easy for me.”

Alphrin is also serving as co-athletic director. He is sharing the job with Delores Conn, a Dillon Christian legend, according to Alphrin.

           Alphrin said Conn is teaching him the ropes of an athletic director’s duties.

           Alphrin isn’t the only new head coach on the Dillon Chrisitan staff for the upcoming school year. Bo Stone has stepped down as the boys basketball head coach with the graduation of his son, Jackson Stone.

Tyler Davis, a Dillon Christian graduate, will replace him. Davis was the girls basketball head coach at St. John’s Christian Academy.

Dillon Christian will have a new softball coach as well, it just doesn’t know who quite yet. Ben Andrews stepped down after one season because of the graduation of his daughter, Molly Andrews.

The head coaches who are returning are Tony Blackmon for baseball and Kelly McColl for girls basketball. Jennier Easterling and Kelly Jacobs will coach volleyball.