A familiar face will take the place of longtime Irmo High School girls’ basketball coach Monica Williams next fall.

Assistant coach and junior varsity head coach Trina Wagstaff was promoted to the top position. She succeeds Williams, who announced her retirement on May 20 after 24 seasons, 20 with the Lady Yellow Jackets, 421 career wins, 7 region titles and a state runner-up.

“I feel blessed and extremely fortunate to take over the Irmo High School girls’ varsity program,” Wagstaff said. “Coach Williams built a legacy while she was here and I want to continue that legacy.

“This, of course, will not be an easy task, but I am ready. I have spent the last 6 years on coach Williams’ staff preparing to possibly 1 day become a head coach of a varsity program. I have gained so much knowledge under her watch and will take that along with my other coaching experiences to continue the winning traditions at Irmo.”

Wagstaff’s predecessor gave her stamp of approval as well.

“I am so excited for Trina to get the head coaching position at Irmo,” Williams said. “Her knowledge and passion for the game and her ability to relate to the players make her an excellent choice for head coach. Trina has coached with me for 10 years, and I am confident that she will continue the pride and tradition of Irmo athletics.”

The announcement comes a day after the school held “National Tim Whipple Day” in recognition of the longtime boys’ basketball coach entering his 40th season on the sidelines. Whipple is currently the active winningest coach in South Carolina basketball and is closing in on 800 career victories.

The past 3 months have seen several coaching changes in Chronicle Country.

BRAD MCKINNEY - River Bluff girls’ tennis coach

It’s an end of an era for the Lady Gators’ program.

Brian Lim, who led them to 2 state titles, is now an administrator at nearby Meadow Glen Middle School.

Taking over is McKinney, who this past year replaced Lim as boys’ tennis coach and was a girls’ assistant the past 4 years.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to take over for Coach Lim and lead this program,” said Coach McKinney after the announcement. “Coach Lim has set the bar high with the development of an incredible program.

“I have really enjoyed working with Coach Lim and the rest of our coaching staff these past four years and consider them close friends. I have enjoyed the time with our players. “Our young ladies are amazing! They are great people, students, and athletes. The opportunity to continue working with them is a blessing. I look forward to hitting the courts with them and getting to work again with them and continue to build upon the program’s success.”

McKinney has a wealth of experience as a coach, and not just in the sport of tennis. He spent 18 years as the varsity boys tennis coach at Linton-Stockton High School in Indiana. While there, he also served 12 years as varsity girls tennis coach.

SETH COOPER - White Knoll baseball coach

With Blake Roland’s departure to fledgling school Fountain Inn in Greenville, the Timberwolves have hired Seth Cooper to take over the program.

The younger brother of former University of South Carolina national champion pitcher Blake Cooper, Seth comes over from his alma mater Edisto High School. He spent the past 6 years in Cordova and led the Cougars to 2 Class 2A District runner-up finishes.

“I am a big believer in hard work and dedication,” Cooper said. “With those 2 attributes, you can accomplish almost anything you put your mind to. With my coaching experience as a legion, travel, and a varsity head coach, I believe that I am more than ready to lead a successful baseball program here at White Knoll High School.

“I am extremely excited for this opportunity to have a positive impact on and off the field for these young student athletes.”

TIERRA RISPRESS - White Knoll volleyball coach

The Timberwolves reached out to find 1 of its own to replace Alexzandra Peckham.

A former team captain at White Knoll, Rispress 1st got the “coaching itch” at Heathwood Hall. She then became an assistant for both FCA Volleyball Club and SC Midlands and started Team Tenacity this past May.

“I am a hard worker who understands what it means to go the extra mile as a coach,” Rispress said. “I pour my heart and knowledge into my players and am respected as Coach T. I stop at nothing to produce quality student athletes and a team that plays together as one. I practice healthy transparency with all parties involved and with that; am trusted to instill quality values and skills into my athletes.”

WHITTAKER-ANNE JOHNSTON - Gilbert swimmng head coach

For the 1st time in school history, Gilbert will field a competing swimming team.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Johnston competed for the diving team. She teaches 3rd grade at Gilbert Elementary and conducts swimming lessons during the summer.

ASHLEY BRUNER (girls basketball) and GRIFFIN WOODS (competitive cheer) - Gray Collegiate Academy

A former University of South Carolina standout will now lead Lady War Eagles’ girls basketball.

The older sister of former War Eagles Jordan and Tommy Bruner, Ashley she served as B team boys coach and was an assistant on the varsity team this past season.

A highly-recruited play out of high school in Oklahoma, Bruner signed with the Gamecocks in 2009. During her 4 seasons in Columbia, she made all-SEC as a senior and played on a Sweet 16 team the year.

After her playing career with South Carolina, Bruner played overseas for 7 years. She was part of a regular season championship team in Portugal in 2015 and 2016 and was named Player, Center and Newcomer of the Year.

Woods started her career at Folsom High School in California where she led the school to 2nd place at the University of California. She cheered competitively at Sacramento State and traveled the country and Europe doing choreography and camps. She has worked at ACX for the last 11 years working with all age groups.