Coach Quin McCollum
New Marlboro County High School Football Coach and Athletic Director Quin McCollum wanted athletics at the school to be competitive and to get back to the basics.
“I want us to be competitive across the board,” he said. “I want us to show good sportsmanship. I want us to have a good relationship with parents, community leaders and stakeholders.”
A native of Clio, McCollum was named to the position at the May Board of Education meeting. A graduate of Marlboro County High School, McCollum obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Accommodations from Francis Marion University, along with a second Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from USC.
McCollum said he accepted the job because it is the dream job. “It is always in the back of your mind,” he said. “What person would not want to go back to their high school. I’m excited about it. I’ve had a lot of people, near and far, offer well wishes and congratulatory messages.”
His history with the Bulldogs is long.
He was a player on the first two football teams after the county schools consolidated in 1989.
It was during the Reed Charpa era, he said, when the team had gold helmets.
“The first year we went 2-9,” McCollum remembered. “The second year, we went 9-4. And the difference in those two years was a matter of us coming together as a unit versus being five separate schools and understanding how to play together. It also incorporated a lot of discipline and being unselfish.”
McCollum was in the first graduating class, the class of 1990.
He began his teaching/educational and coaching career for Marlboro County School District back in 1999 as a District Parent coordinator and assistant football coach. He was also a member of the MCHS 2001 Football State Championship Coaching Staff led by Coach Dr. Dean Boyd.
He has worked under Charpa, Boyd and Bobby Collins.
McCollum has worked at various schools around the state, but has notable stops at the following locations:
–Carvers Bay High School in Hemingway, SC (2008-2011) as Defensive Coordinator, Strength Coach & Special Teams Coordinator with a 2008 State Championship appearance and 2009 lower state appearance. –McBee High School in McBee (2011-12) as Athletic Director and Assistant Football Coach.
–Keenan High School in Columbia (2013-15) as Head Football Coach where he led the school to its first football State Championship.
McCollum said he has four core values. They are academics, being socially responsible, unselfishness, and enthusiasm.
His personal motto is “victory loves preparation.”
“You have to be prepared to be successful,” McCollum said. “One of the analogies I use all the time is a biblical – ‘Was it raining when Noah built the ark?’. Sometimes you’re going to look crazy. Sometimes people may not understand, but there’s a method to the madness.”
McCollum planned to meet with the football players this week and said officials are looking at a modified spring football schedule. “Due to some concerns right now with facilities and equipment, we’re taking into consideration the planning phases of that right now. It will be happening within the next week or so,” said McCollum.
As athletic director, he wanted to make sure it is all inclusive with student athletes, parents, and the community.
“You want to make sure that you build those relationships with your stakeholders in the community,” he said.
But he emphasized making sure to do things to gain support, making sure there is good positive press for your student athletes, and recognizing them for their accomplishments are all important.
“I just want to make sure we do our student athletes justice by making sure we hold them accountable academically,” he said. “But we also want to make sure that we do what we can do to promote them, support them, and help them be successful on and off the field.”
Ultimately, McCollum wants people to be excited about Marlboro County athletics as a whole, not just football, but all sports.
“I want it to be a situation where we create a playoff atmosphere every Friday night from week zero to the playoffs and beyond,” he said. “This happens when the community comes together as a whole.” He talked about being fortunate enough to have played in the very beginning when every Friday night the county would basically shut down and everybody would come together.
McCollum wants to return to this by having themes for the games, doing fireworks, or bringing back the community gathering under the goal post after the game.
“I want to make sure we have the ultimate crowd experience,” he said.
Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, Dr. Jason Bryant, said McCollum brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion for the community. “He will be a great addition to our administration and athletic programs as we continue to provide opportunities for students to support the classroom and their academic endeavors,” Bryant said. “This is an exciting time for the Marlboro County Bulldogs, and we look forward to the community showing their support for all of our student athletes.”