Dutch Fork High School varsity football coach and athletic director Tom Knotts was named the 2019 National High School Football Coaches Association (NHSCA) National Football Coach of the Year.

The award is presented jointly with High School Football America.

“I am proud to be named National Coach of the Year,” Knotts said. “I am grateful to many people - my family, the administrators I have worked for, the coaches who have worked with me, and the many players that I have had the honor to coach. This award could not be earned without the efforts, support and assistance of all the above - this is truly a team award.

“I am truly blessed to be part of this great game of football and privileged to have earned the title of Coach.”

“What a well-deserved honor for Coach Knotts and his family,” Dutch Fork principal Gerald Gary said. “He continues to rewrite the record books at Dutch Fork High, as well as in our state. We could not be more excited for him.”

The Silver Foxes took down Dorman 34-31 in overtime to clinch the S.C. High School League Class 5A title on Dec. 7, 2019 at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Since the South Carolina High School League expanded to 5 classifications in 2016, Dutch Fork is the only team to win the championship in the state’s biggest division.

The Silver Foxes are also just the 7th team in state history to win 4 straight state titles.

Overall, the program has won 5 under Knotts, who won 7 in North Carolina.

The Silver Foxes have now played 40 straight games without a loss and won 39 against Palmetto State teams. They have also won 23 consecutive region and road games and 20 straight playoff games.

“We are extremely pleased to honor Tom Knotts,” said Eric Hess, Executive Director of the NHSCA. “Coach Knotts has established Dutch Fork as one of the top programs in the nation during his tenure as the head coach. He exhibits a strong dedication to supporting and developing his high school student-athletes both on-and-off the football field.”