When Gene Cathcart wanted to get into coaching, he was offered a few words of wisdom by a trusted mentor. “As my high school coach told me, ‘If you can be happy doing something else, please do it,’” he said. “’But if you can’t, then just go be the best coach you can be.’”
The new Jefferson coach has always appreciated that advice.
As he approaches his 13th season as a head coach, the South Carolina native has won at every stop in his coaching career. His 107-42 record includes a stellar 58-12 run in five seasons at Greenwood (S.C.) where he won a state title and netted two state runner-up finishes.
Now he’ll aim to continue those winning ways at a place that’s used to winning.
“It’s the best place I’ve ever worked — period,” Cathcart said of Jefferson. “And it’s always people that make it that way. I’ve been blessed to be in a lot of good places, so that’s no small compliment.”
Perhaps it’s no surprise that Cathcart wouldn’t be happy doing anything else but coaching.
His grandfather was a football coach, so the job is in his blood. He also grew up in a football-centric community in the shadow of Clemson University which further drove him to the sport.
“Growing up in Clemson, you had the specter of coach (Danny) Ford and Clemson’s success,” Cathcart explained.
But the coaching profession is personal for Cathcart, having formed a strong bond with his own coaches during a challenging time while he was growing up.
For the rest of this story, see the June 21 edition of The Jackson Herald.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.