A New Era for Panther Football
Batesburg-Leesville High School is gearing up for a pivotal season as it moves from Class AA to Class A following the South Carolina High School League’s biannual reclassification. The shift comes after the program lost 24 seniors, prompting a comprehensive overhaul of the coaching staff and a refreshed approach to competition.
At the center of the defensive overhaul is David Prince, who has been named the new defensive coordinator for the Panthers. Prince brings a blend of experience as a defensive coordinator and head coach at South Florence, where he also served as the wide‑receivers coach and strength coach. His familiarity with the local talent pool and his proven track record in player development made him a natural fit for the role.
Prince will be joined by a cadre of assistants tasked with shaping the Panthers’ offense and defense. Arromus Harris steps in to handle wide receivers, while Rob Bouknight, the longtime baseball head coach, returns to the football staff as offensive coordinator. Brandon Cumbee returns to coach the offensive line, and newcomer Rick Snelling adds his expertise to the mix. Bryan Cotney will guide the running backs, and the linebacking corps will be mentored by Shane Bryant and Andy Harris.
The defensive backfield receives a boost from Jake Getson, who takes charge of the defensive backs, while Lane Janney and Chris Whitt coordinate the defensive line. Greg Lawson, entering his fifth season as head coach, will oversee the overall program and integrate the new pieces into a cohesive unit. The school also announced two new girls sports — golf and flag football — expanding its already diverse athletic offerings.
Golf will be led by Jim Iacuone, and Erica Gambrell will head the flag football team. In basketball, William Ash and DeVeto Johnson return to coach the boys and girls teams respectively, while Ryanne Hall takes the reins of the girls wrestling program. Eric Gambrell is finalizing the hiring of a boys wrestling coach, and Alex Richardson will serve as the archery head coach during the winter and transition to clay targets in the spring.
Beyond the field, the school’s sideline cheer program will be directed by Claudia Pollard, and Amber Hartley returns to lead the softball team. Ainsley Minchew, Kate Shealy, and Chandler Bouknight, all recent All‑State and All‑Region selections, represent the caliber of talent the Panthers aim to develop. With a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh faces, Batesburg-Leesville looks to compete strongly in its new classification.