OCA stays in-house for new football coach

OCA stays in-house for new football coach

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Mt. Pleasant – Oceanside Collegiate Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Brent LaPrad as the Landsharks’ head football coach. LaPrad has served on the Oceanside coaching staff for the last two seasons, helping the Landsharks earn back-to-back state titles while serving as defensive coordinator.

“I am incredibly grateful to Principal Christina Brown and Athletic Director Mark Meyer for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to be part of the Oceanside family for a long time,” LaPrad said. “I also want to thank all the coaches who have influenced my career over the past 20 years, especially my father, Coach Steve LaPrad, whose impact on me as a coach and as a man has been immeasurable.”

Brown said it was LaPrad’s proven dedication and commitment to the Oceanside players and program that earned him this opportunity as head coach.

“Coach LaPrad’s dedication to the program, deep football knowledge, and passion for developing student-athletes have been evident throughout his time as Defensive Coordinator,” Brown said. “He has demonstrated a strong commitment to our players and their success, both on and off the field.

“While stepping into a head coaching role presents new challenges, we believe his love for the game and our students will drive him to grow as a leader and continue building on our football program’s success.”

LaPrad is a native of the Charleston area, having attended Summerville High where he earned All-Region honors as a senior and helped the Green Wave to a state title in 1998. He was also a team captain and All-State performer on the wrestling team, winning state championships in 1998 and again in 2001.

Following high school, LaPrad continued to play football while earning a bachelor’s degree in business management North Carolina State University. While a member of the Wolfpack football program, Brent participated in three postseason bowl games.

“Brent has proven himself as an incredibly gifted defensive coordinator for more than a decade,” Meyer said. “He is a large part of the reason our football team has had great success since he arrived. I look forward to seeing him grow as a Head Coach.”

LaPrad began his coaching career at Fort Dorchester High as a defensive backs coach in 2005. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012 and, in 2015, he helped the Patriots to a Class AAAAA state title. Overall, he spent 17 seasons coaching at Fort Dorchester, including the last three on the offensive side of the ball. He served as the offensive coordinator for the Patriots’ 2022 run to the state title game.

“This is the best high school football coaching job in the state of South Carolina, and it truly is my dream job,” LaPrad said. “I want my eight-year-old son SJ to one day play for the Landsharks and graduate from Oceanside Collegiate Academy. I can;t wait to get to work and continue building something special at OCA on and off the field.”