By Thomas Grant Jr.
A pair of familiar faces have filled the head football coaching vacancies in Richland School District Two.
Both Stephen Burris at Westwood and Norman Washington of Spring Valley were approved by the school board. They take over programs which each saw the predecessors resign after two seasons.
This leaves Cardinal Newman with the lone football coaching vacancy in the Northeast. Corey Helms resigned to take a similar position at Pelion High School.
Stephen Burris
Westwood gave its new head coach a hero’s procession during Wednesday’s press conference. Burris and his family walked on a red carpet through a path made with ROTC soldiers on each side holding up swords.
At the podium, an emotional Burris reflected on his past experiences at the school. His late wife, Kimberly “Miss Theodore” Burris, was a reading specialist teacher for three years at Westwood she passed away on Dec. 6, 2024.
“She loved this school, these students, this community,” he said. “When I spent my time at Ridge View (as an offensive coordinator) with coach (Derek) Howard (who was in attendance), when we played Westwood, we had to wear purple to the game.
“She wouldn’t, so this is the woman I loved and she wouldn’t even go on my side for the games. She stood on Ridge View’s side; she had on a Westwood shirt. So Westwood was always in my house from the day we got here and still is. So, very excited to extend her legacy here, make her proud because I know she’s watching. This school has always been special to her. Because of that, there was no way I could past it up.”
Burris comes over from Lamar High School where he went 18-8 in two seasons. In addition to Ridge View, he previously worked at Conway, York and Socastee high schools and Norwich Free Academy in Connecticut.
Burris replaces Robert O’Connell, who posted a 7-15 record the past two years. This past season saw the Redhawks go 6-6, beat archrival Blythewood in the “Battle of the Axe” and win a first-round playoff game.
The two victories were the first since 2019.
“I worked with Coach O’Connell my first year at Ridge View, so I’m very familiar with him and the work he’s done here,” Burris said. “They won six games this past season. They won a playoff game for the first time in five years. So it’s in much better shape than when he started out.
“I know the work that he’s put in. I’m excited about that. The familiarity with Richland Two and the district and region. I think I’ve coached against every team on our schedule except for Lakewood over my time the last four years. So, very excited about that and get going and get some coaches in and breathe some new life here so to speak and get some things that work here or revamp some other things. As I get to those kids and coaches, we’ll figure out a plan together. We’ll move forward from there.”
In looking ahead, Westwood set down his expectations:
1.Show up on time
2. Give the best effort every day
3. Be better than you were yesterday
Burris will now look to finalize his staff with coaches willing to “pay the price.” He also encouraged the community to make Friday nights special at Westwood games.
Norman Washington
As a captain and All-State defensive back, Washington was part of a Vikings’ program which was in a period of struggle.
He now returns to his alma mater as it once again seeks to return to its past glory. Spring Valley went winless in two seasons under Nygel Pearson and enters next season with the Palmetto State’s longest losing streak at 24 games.
Washington bring his experience as a co-defensive coordinator at Centennial High School in Roswell, Ga., and linebackers coach at Gainesville High School.
The Vikings are seeking their first winning season since 2021.
(Photos by Thomas Grant Jr.)
