Scott Cook has been coaching football for 24 years.
Now, as new head coach, he’s looking to change the perception and culture around East Clarendon football.
“The biggest challenge going in to this was getting the participation, and then starting a culture change,” the new head coach commented. “We have to make them willing to hit and be more aggressive on offense and defense.”
Although it will take a while to see if a true culture change has occurred, participation has most certainly improved. Cook will have a roster of 48 players to work with. If this is any litmus test for the attitude revamping, then it is coming quickly.
Cook is replacing long-time head coach Dwayne Howell, who stepped down earlier this year. Howell had been at East Clarendon for two stints that spanned 26 years.
Despite this being his first stint as a head coach, Cook feels more than ready for the job.
“I was in Lake City for 10 years under Coach Mickey Moss, who won the last state championship here at East Clarendon in 1985. Then I was at Johnsonville for 14 years under Coach Lewis Lineberger,” Cook said. Both Lineberger and Moss have long and successful histories as high school coaches in South Carolina, each earning a spot in the S.C. Coaches Hall of Fame and having a state title to his name.
In his first year at the helm of the program, Cook will be looking to improve over the Wolverines’ record of 4-6 from last year while building the foundation for continued success in the future.
“We’re a young team,” he said. “We’ve only got eight seniors, but we’ve had some guys really step up as leaders.”
One of those leaders is senior quarterback William Ard.
“He’s done a good job,” the coach said. Ard will be taking snaps from center and defensive lineman Kendall King. Cook will be expecting a lot out of him this season, naming him as one of the key players.
“Coach Cook’s brought a lot of positive attitude to the team,” the junior said. “Our team’s attitude has gotten better. It seems like he brings everybody together and makes us better.”
Starting in the backfield at running back are Javontez Rush and Gavin Gibbons. Rush, a junior, and Gibbons, a freshman, will both also be seeing time at defensive back.
Lining up for the Wolverines will be junior Zac Barrett, junior Tyler Baker, sophomore Bryson McKenzie, and senior Jackson Floyd.
“Tyler Baker has done a good job as a leader so far,” said Cook.
Cook will be looking to leaders like Baker to step up as he works to change the perception around East Clarendon football.
The new head coach started his preparations with two weeks of spring practice before heading into a summer of workouts to ensure the players had the strength and stamina to play four quarters of quality football.
“We had about 60 guys out here.” Cook said. “Then, we started in the weight room over the summer. The guys worked out 2 times a day Monday through Thursday.”
Cook knows that the hard work and discipline that he’s instilling in them is the key to turning the program around.
“We’re going to work hard every day and get after it every day, 365 days a year,” he said.
“We’ve got a ways to go, but I feel like we’re getting closer every day. The boys have been coming to practice and they have been working really hard,” said the coach.
So far the team has played in one scrimmage and a jamboree.
“They did really well in the scrimmage and played hard in the jamboree. We went against Central at the jamboree and they’re a lot bigger than us. But our weight room has been helping to make us stronger, so we’ll keep improving.”
As for what fans can expect out of the program, Cook said that they will see a team that is playing their hearts out.
“I think our greatest strength is probably our work ethic. They’ll come see a team that might not be the biggest or the fastest, but these players are going to give you all they’ve got on Friday night, and every other day.”
Cook said his long-term goal is to win region and a state championship, but right now the Wolverines are focused on getting a winning record. With a roster that includes 40 juniors, sophomores and freshmen, Cook will have plenty of time to build the foundation for a run at state.
East Clarendon will kick off their season at Green Sea-Floyds on Friday.
