News Summary
Myrtle Beach High School’s athletic director, John Cahill, has been placed on paid leave amid concerns over job performance. The leave, effective May 7, 2025, was initiated by Horry County Schools and will be in place during an ongoing investigation. Cahill is restricted from returning to the school or contacting staff and students until further notice. Despite his past accolades, the situation raises questions about his leadership and the reasons behind the leave, as speculation grows in the community regarding the nature of the investigation.
Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach High School’s athletic director, John Cahill, has been placed on paid leave due to job performance concerns, effective May 7, 2025. This administrative decision was made by Horry County Schools (HCS) citing Cahill’s “failure to complete job responsibilities.” The leave will remain in place while a district investigation continues into the specific circumstances surrounding his job performance.
As per the official directive from HCS, Cahill is not permitted to return to Myrtle Beach High School during this period and is also restricted from contacting district employees, students, or parents unless prior permission is granted from Human Resources or from his supervisor. The investigation and subsequent processes will determine the final outcome of his employment status.
The school district has acknowledged the administrative leave but has refrained from commenting further on personnel matters, which includes inquiries related to the nature and specifics of the investigation. This lack of public information has led to speculation surrounding the underlying reasons for Cahill’s unexpected leave.
A History of Recognition
John Cahill has had a significant tenure as the athletic director at Myrtle Beach High School, having held the position since 2011. Throughout his career, he has amassed multiple accolades including the SC State Merit Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, received in 2025. Additionally, he has been honored as South Carolina’s athletic director of the year in 2016 and again in 2019 by various organizations, showcasing a history of commendable contributions to the school’s athletic programs.
As of 2023, Cahill’s salary was reported to be approximately $97,500 per year, reflective of his long-standing service and the responsibilities associated with his role.
Past Controversies
Despite his achievements, Cahill’s career has faced challenges and scrutiny. In October 2023, he received a documented reprimand regarding his management of an incident involving the boys’ volleyball team. The reprimand was linked to accusations surrounding a student who had been initially suspended for making what was perceived as a gang sign; however, this gesture was later understood to be a misunderstanding. Cahill has since disputed the reprimand, claiming there were “significant errors” in the district’s investigation of his involvement in the matter.
The current investigation into his job performance follows a pattern of prior disciplinary actions, raising questions about his leadership and oversight of the athletic department. The internal issues have coincided with his long-standing reputation, creating a contrast between past recognitions and present concerns.
Next Steps
With the investigation now underway, the focus shifts to how HCS will address the findings and what implications it may have for Cahill’s future at Myrtle Beach High School. Transparency from HCS regarding the investigation’s progress may alleviate community concerns while also providing answers as to the nature of Cahill’s alleged job performance issues.
As of now, My Horry News has submitted requests for pertinent documents related to the ongoing investigation to HCS via the Freedom of Information Act, but these documents have yet to be made available. Stakeholders, including students, parents, and faculty at Myrtle Beach High School, await further developments in this evolving situation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Coastal Carolina Football Faces Overhaul with Transfer Portal Setbacks
Coastal Carolina University Introduces Free Concessions for Football Fans
Coastal Carolina University Community Grieves the Loss of Alise Svihla
CCU Community Remembers Alise Svihla’s Impact
Columbia Celebrates Dawn Staley’s Record-Breaking Contract Extension
Columbia to Appoint Jeremiah Donati as New Athletics Director for University of South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University Athletic Department Experiences Key Staffing Shakeup with Media Relations Change
Coastal Carolina University Announces Plans for New Convocation Center: New Athletics Director Spearheads Ambitious Initiative
Additional Resources
- WMBF News: Myrtle Beach Athletic Director on Paid Leave
- My Horry News: Longtime Myrtle Beach Athletic Director on Leave
- Myrtle Beach Online: Education News
- Wikipedia: Myrtle Beach
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach High School Athletic Director
