The coaching carousel is now spinning in the Upstate. BHP has announced the hire of David Crane as their new Head Football Coach.
He replaces Russell Blackston who parted ways with the program after the Bears lost in the 3A State Finals. There was a fight at the end of the game that marred the 2nd straight trip to the Finals for program.No coach in the history of BHP Football has ever accomplished what Russell Blackston did.
Crane comes from Seneca High where he was 43-30 overall. This past year the Bobcats were 10-2 and won their 1st round playoff game. They then lost at home to AC Flora in the 2nd round. Crane was 2-6 in the playoffs while at Seneca (stats per Max Preps).
While Crane won at Seneca, some Bobcat fans were critical of him not being able to get over the hump. The Bobcats didn't win a region title in his time there.
To win a region title at Seneca usually that means having beat rival Daniel. Something that Crane was never able to pull off at Seneca, as the Bobcats haven't beaten Daniel since 2015. He also holds the distinction as the 1st Seneca Football Coach to lose to Walhalla since the late 1970's.
BHP is a program that has some high expectations. Coach Blackston set the bar about as high as possible making two straight trips to the State Finals. The South Carolina High School League is realigning the classes and regions.
The realignment for 2026 through 2028 will keep BHP in 3A and put them in Region 2. The realigned region will also feature Powdersville and Wren who is dropping down from 4A. Also, Region 1 will have both Daniel and Seneca who are dropping down from 4A.
Prior to his time at Seneca, Crane coached at Greenville High and was able to capture a region title there in 2017. He was 27-31 as the Head Coach of the Red Raiders ( stats per Max Preps). He also spent some time coaching in North Georgia at the high school level and had a brief stint as an assistant in college ranks.
Crane's move to BHP now leaves the Seneca job open. So the coaching carousel is moving around the Upstate and we will see who the Bobcats hire to fill the vacancy?