News Summary
John Cahill, the athletic director at Myrtle Beach High School, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into job responsibilities. Cahill, who has held the position since 2011, previously faced a reprimand regarding an incident with a student. Concerns are growing among parents and staff regarding the future of the school’s athletic program during this time. The Horry County Schools district confirmed that his leave includes full pay and benefits, while also emphasizing the privacy of the personnel investigation.
Myrtle Beach
John Cahill, the longtime athletic director at Myrtle Beach High School, has been placed on administrative leave as of May 7, 2024, due to “failure to complete job responsibilities.” The Horry County Schools (HCS) district confirmed this status on June 6, 2024, as they conduct an ongoing investigation into the matter.
During this administrative leave, Cahill is prohibited from returning to the high school or contacting any district staff, students, or parents without explicit permission. His leave will continue until the investigation is complete, which has raised concerns among parents and staff about the future of the athletic program at the school.
Cahill has been serving as the athletic director at Myrtle Beach High School since 2011 and has built a notable reputation over the years. He has been recognized with multiple awards for his contributions to school athletics, including the SC state merit award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) for 2025. His most recent salary was approximately $97,500 per year as of 2023.
This is not the first time Cahill has faced disciplinary action. In October 2023, he received a reprimand related to an incident involving a 16-year-old Filipino student in the boys volleyball team. The incident, which led to the student’s suspension, was contentious; the student was initially punished for a hand gesture that was later determined to be a harmless half-heart symbol. Cahill disputed the reprimand, citing “significant errors” in how the district handled the incident and arguing that the decision to suspend the student was unjustified.
In the context of his career, Cahill has also been recognized as South Carolina’s athletic director of the year in 2016 and again in 2019. His accolades underline his extensive experience and commitment to high school athletics, making the current situation all the more concerning for the school community.
While the investigation into Cahill’s leave is ongoing, HCS has issued a letter from its Chief Human Resources Officer, confirming that Cahill will continue to receive full pay and benefits during his administrative leave. However, HCS has refrained from providing additional comments on the matter, emphasizing the privacy of ongoing personnel investigations.
As the community of Myrtle Beach awaits further information, local news organizations have been actively seeking clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding Cahill’s leave and the ongoing investigation. Requests for documents related to the situation have been filed under the Freedom of Information Act, indicating a desire for transparency among concerned stakeholders.
In conclusion, the situation surrounding John Cahill at Myrtle Beach High School raises important questions about accountability and oversight within educational athletics. As stakeholders await the outcome of the ongoing investigation, the implications of Cahill’s administrative leave will likely resonate throughout the Myrtle Beach High School athletic community.
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Additional Resources
- WMBF News: Myrtle Beach High School’s Athletic Director Placed on Administrative Leave
- My Horry News: Longtime Myrtle Beach High Athletic Director on Administrative Leave
- Myrtle Beach Online: Investigation under way into Myrtle Beach High Athletic Director
- Myrtle Beach Online: Myrtle Beach Prep Athletes Highlighted
- My Horry News: Myrtle Beach Area Sports Programs Celebrate Success
- Wikipedia: Myrtle Beach High School
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach High School athletics
