Welcome home

I am very excited to come home and begin this new chapter with all my family close by. I've always been a Wildcat in my heart and I look forward to meeting all the players, coaches, and faculty very soon.”

New Lexington head football coach/athletics director Dustin Curtis

It seemed only a matter of time after news was released that Dustin Curtis resigned as Dorman head football coach.

Just more than a week later, what many expected was made official Feb. 28 by the Lexington County School District 1 Board of Trustees.

The former Wildcat fullback and member of Lexington’s 2000 state runner-up team is indeed coming home to lead his alma mater as head coach and athletics director.

A source with knowledge of the hiring confirmed the board met in executive session to discuss the recommendation by Principal Ryan Pool. The members subsequently took a vote that included Curtis' hiring without announcing his name.

Thr district later confirmed the news in a release. A 2 p.m. press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, to introduce Curtis in the school lobby. 

"I am very excited to come home and begin this new chapter with all my family close by," Curtis told the Chronicle. "I've always been a Wildcat in my heart and I look forward to meeting all the players, coaches, and faculty very soon. "

Curtis replaces Perry Woolbright, who in six seasons at Lexington led the program to a 38-25 overall record and five playoff appearances. Woolbright also returned to his alma mater to become head football coach at Clover High School.

During Curtis’ lone season with the Cavaliers, he led them to a 9-3 record and a second round appearance in the Class 5A playoffs. Dorman lost to eventual state champion Dutch Fork, a team which plays in Region 4-5A with Lexington.

In Curtis’ resignation, he cited personal and family medical reasons.

Prior to Dorman, Curtis came from A.C. Flora in Columbia, where he led the Falcons to a 28-4 record in three seasons and a Class 4A state championship in 2020.

Before his stint at Flora, Curtis spent three seasons as Westwood's coach and spent time as an assistant at Spring Valley and Flora.

"Aside from his impressive coaching record, Coach Curtis has a personal connection and commitment to Lexington High School, and he understands and shares the pride our community takes in our school," Lexington principal Ryan Pool is quoted in the district release. "He was the perfect fit for our school culture and our athletic program. We are excited to welcome him and his family home.”