By Thomas Grant Jr.
“There’s no place like home.”
After one season in the college ranks, Dion Bethea was reintroduced Wednesday as Gray Collegiate Academy’s boys basketball coach.
“They say there’s no place like home,” Principal Brian Newsome said in a statement. “Gray is proud to welcome back Dion to lead our boys’ basketball program again. He built this program from the ground up and we are excited for our future with Dion as our leader.”
Bethea returned to the program he began in 2014 and turned into a state power, The War Eagles won 273 games, six state titles and had five Class 2A Players of the Year during his first stint.
He replaced his successor Carlos Powell, who resigned after one season and a 19-8 record. Despite leaving an “amazing staff” at Georgia Southern, he could not turn down the opportunity to get back with his Gray Collegiate “family.”
“We met last Monday to talk about it a little bit,” Bethea said. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was just going to come back and kind of go from there. I had some other opportunities at other places. But this presented itself and they reached out to me. Me and Principal Brian) Newsome got together, talked about it and I’m back.”
Bethea believes he’s grown as a head coach coaching with the Golden Eagles. He hopes to use that experience and build an even more successful War Eagles’ program.
“I made like a little vow to myself that I wanted to be bigger and better than I was the first time,” he said.
Among the additions Bethea plans to his coaching staff are a pair of familiar faces. Former Calhoun County state champion and University of South Carolina guard Buck Fredrick, who previously worked at Gray Collegiate with Bethea, and former War Eagle state champion Khalil Robinson will return to the school.
Gray Collegiate introduced another new head coach and two other athletic hirings:
Katie Nunnery
After leading Dutch Fork to three state titles in competitive cheer, the Irmo native takes over another championship program in West Columbia.
Nunnery comes out of retirement to lead a War Eagles’ team which has won three state championships, two in Class 2A and Class 4A this past school year.
“I’d like to keep that tradition going, but then that’s also where my confidence as a coach comes in and these girls can be successful and continue the tradition of moving on. I completely believe in them. They’ve got great attitudes, they’re ready to work and they’re ready to get that title again. So that’s going to make my job a little bit easier to be that driving force.”
Having coached in the “SEC of competitive cheer” in Classes 4A and 5A, Nunnery plans to adjust to keep Gray Collegiate on top. Along with daily motivation, she hopes to develop a weightlifting program to improve their overall fitness.
“Gray is extremely excited to welcome Katie to our school as our next competitive cheer head coach,” Newsome said. “Katie has a championship pedigree and has been recognized as one of the most outstanding coaches in competitive cheer. We cannot wait to see what Katie and the competitive cheer team have in store for next season.”
Eric Schwager
Both Bethea and Nunnery will have student athletes spending many hours with the school’s new Director of Strength and Conditioning.
Having held a similar job title at Charleston Southern, Schwager brings years of experience to the school. He previously served as Kansas State, Northwestern State, Newberry College, Limestone University, and the University of Hartford.
Schwager also worked with minor league baseball teams.
“I have a special place in my heart for Charleston Southern, since I am an alumnus and proud graduate,” Newsome said. “When I saw Erik was interested in this position, it made me proud. His experience working with a variety of student athletes in different sports at the collegiate level will have elevate Gray’s strength and conditioning program across all programs. We look forward to Erik’s contributions as an important part of our athletic leadership team.”
Katie Clampitt
Helping student athletes meet college eligibility requirements and preparing for the challenges of a post-high school career will be the responsibilities of the newly hired Collegiate Academic and Athletic Liaison.
Among Clampitt’s duties are helping them to create positive social media presences, preparing videos for college recruiters and navigating financial aid pathways. She is a “lifelong educator” with extensive involvement in girls soccer.
“This is a new position for Gray that I have envisioned for years,” Newsome said. “College athletics are rapidly changing, and our students should have all the support we can provide for them so they can reach their full potential. We look forward to the support Katie will build in the months ahead to give our students as many opportunities as possible to further their academic and athletic aspirations.”
(Photo by Thomas Grant Jr.) Gray Collegiate Academy boys basketball coach Dion Bethea, Collegiate Academic and Athletic Liaison Katie Clampitt, Athletics Director Kevin Heise, Principal Brian Edwards, Director of Strength and Conditioning Eric Schwager and Competitive Cheer head coach Katie Nunnery.
