News Summary
Myrtle Beach High School is undergoing coaching changes as it approaches the 2025-26 athletic season, with new leadership in volleyball and soccer. Familiar faces return to the helm, including Mickey Wilson for football and Jeremy Howard for boys tennis, which just won its 13th state championship. Despite the excitement, there’s uncertainty surrounding the athletic director position due to eligibility issues from the previous year. The school gears up for the upcoming CNB Kickoff Classic and a season filled with competition and passion.
Myrtle Beach High School Welcomes New Coaching Changes Amid Athletic Director Uncertainty
The sun-soaked shores of Myrtle Beach are buzzing with excitement as the local high school gears up for the upcoming 2025-26 athletic season! With a few coaching changes on the horizon, big things are happening at Myrtle Beach High School. While many familiar faces will be returning to lead the sports teams, two sports will feature brand-new head coaches ready to inspire their teams to victory!
Meet the New Coaches
First up, brace yourself for a fresh wave in the girls volleyball program! Emma Ann Lay, a talented volleyball alumna and recent graduate of Winthrop University, will step into the spotlight as the new head coach. Lay’s experience as an all-region performer will surely resonate with the young athletes she’ll be guiding.
On the soccer field, the girls are getting a brand-new champion in charge! Levi Gray, an experienced club coach and player development guru, is set to kick off his journey as the head coach for the girls soccer team. With his background, he is expected to bring fresh strategies and a winning mindset to the squad.
Familiar Faces Take the Helm
As the excitement builds, here’s a reassuring highlight—Mickey Wilson, a mainstay at Myrtle Beach High, will be back for his remarkable 17th season as the head football coach. Under Wilson’s watchful eye, the football program has celebrated monumental victories, including three state championships and a reputation for winning with an impressive average of 10 wins per season. Although last year brought a bit of a bump in the road, football fans are looking forward to a rebound this season!
In another thrilling update, the boys tennis program has just clinched its 13th state championship in AAAAA Division II, thanks to the leadership of Jeremy Howard. With that stellar record, expectations are high as the program continues to dominate the courts.
Looking ahead to this fall, the return of several coaches is exciting news for student-athletes and parents alike. Susan Sparks will lead the girls tennis team, while Meredith Jiorle will manage the girls cross country and varsity softball teams. In the pool, Katherine Detlaff and Kaitlyn Holmes will lead the boys and girls swim teams, respectively.
Golf fans can also look forward to seeing Lowell Counce back on the greens, coaching the girls in the fall and the boys in the spring. Plus, cheering for the basketball teams will be Jennifer Dennison and Eric Lyons, leading the girls and boys varsity programs.
A Time for Reflection
However, not all news is cheerleading and triumphs! The journey into the new season comes with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the athletic director position. Due to unspecified issues regarding player eligibility self-reported from the 2024-2025 school year, Myrtle Beach High has decided to delay the search for a new athletic director.
Principal Kristin Altman recently communicated with the school community about these eligibility issues, and an appeal against the fine imposed by the South Carolina High School League is currently in progress. As the investigation unfolds, the hiring process for a new athletic director has been put on hold, raising questions about the future leadership of the athletic department.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Myrtle Beach High is gearing up to host the exciting 2025 CNB Kickoff Classic on August 15, signaling the launch of the fall athletics practices. With the official start of the season just around the corner, students, families, and fans are eager to see how the teams will perform and how the new coaches will make their mark!
As we embrace a season of change and uncertainty in the Myrtle Beach athletic community, one thing remains clear: the passion for sport and competition is alive and well! Here’s to a thriving season ahead!
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Additional Resources
- My Horry News
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- Myrtle Beach Online
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- Wikipedia: Myrtle Beach
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach High School Athletics
- Google Scholar: Myrtle Beach High School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Myrtle Beach
- Google News: Myrtle Beach High School
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
