By Thomas Grant Jr.
For the first time in 15 years, the Brookland-Cayce football program will have new leadership on the sidelines.
On Monday, Lexington School District Two approved the hiring of Camden assistant coach Louis Clyburn as head football coach. He replaces Rusty Charpia, who will remain as the school athletics director.
“Coming to Brookland-Cayce offers an opportunity to lead an elite program in a community that is passionate and supportive of this school and its traditions,” Clyburn said. “With today’s rapidly evolving athletic landscape, there are more opportunities than ever at high school, college, and professional levels. Brookland-Cayce has the resources in place to provide students with everything they need to grow while in high school, and at the same time expose them to the expanding opportunities available to them. My background and the opportunities I’ve had create a desire to see our athletes reach their potential, academically and athletically, so they’re prepared for success in career and life.”
The vote was 4-2 in favor of hiring Clyburn as head coach. Linda Alford-Wooten and Liz Castles each voted against the hire, citing the search process.
“I will be voting no on the coach and athletic director position. But I want to make it clear. I am not voting against this individual. I will support whoever fills this position,” Castles said during the meeting. “Anyone who knows me knows I am one of the biggest cheerleaders for this district. I am very deeply committed to athletics, especially Lexington Two and what it does for our children. But I am voting no on the process that was used in the hiring. I feel like it was poorly conceived by the administration from the top to the bottom. The goals were inconsistent and not transparent. That is a bad precedent for future firings and hirings in our school district.”
The winningest coach in school history, Charpia had retired and reapplied for the position the last two years. He was not among the finalists this second time around.
A graduate of Duke University, Clyburn brings 25 years of coaching experience. He spent 15 years on the college level in North Carolina, first as an assistant football coach at Appalachian State University (1995-98). From 1998 to 2004, he was an assistant football coach for the offensive line and tight ends at his alma mater.
Clyburn served as an assistant football coach and offensive coordinator at Lenoir Rhyne College before being selected in 2005 as an assistant football coach/recruiting coordinator at Elon University.
Clyburn took a first high school head coaching job at Andrew Jackson. He turned around a program that was 2-8 prior to his arrival to a winning record and playoff appearance.
In 2009, Clyburn took over the North Central program. He then the Knights to two consecutive playoff appearances in 2012 and 2013 and was named Region Coach and Athletics Director of the Year.
The past eight years, Clyburn served as offensive coordinator. During his tenure, the Bulldogs won the Class 3A Lower State championship in 2020, 2021 and 2023 and led the Palmetto State in rushing offense in 2019.
Clyburn takes over a Bearcat team that went 4-7 in their first year in Class 4A.
“Coach Clyburn brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and a passion for football, athletics, and student development,” Brookland-Cayce Principal Van Jones said. “We are confident that his vision will not only strengthen our football program but also elevate our entire athletic department. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes and the broader BCHS school community.”
Brookland-Cayce is the third coaching vacancy in Lexington County this off-season. Both Lexington (Stewart Young) and Pelion (Cory Helms) filled their positions last Wednesday.