Hilton Head Prep hires new Varsity Football Coach
Hilton Head Preparatory School Welcomes Doug McFadden as New Head Football Coach
Hilton Head Island, SC – February 12, 2024 – Hilton Head Preparatory School proudly announces the appointment of Doug McFadden as the new Head Football Coach, effective April 1, 2024. McFadden brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to Hilton Head Prep, having most recently served as the Pass Game Coordinator and Secondary Coach at Colgate University since 2022.
McFadden's coaching journey reflects a commitment to excellence and a passion for developing young talent. His football career began at Southwest Baptist University, where he played cornerback before transitioning into coaching roles at Langston University and Hutchinson Community College. McFadden also played professionally for the Wichita Warlords for a season. He is a two-time recipient of the NFL Bill Walsh Minority Internship, working with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and the Cleveland Browns in 2014, and in 2019 attended the NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy.
McFadden coached at Lafayette College from 2009 to 2022, where he made significant contributions as the defensive secondary and punt team coach. In his tenure, he was elevated to special teams coordinator at Lafayette, achieving remarkable success with units ranking as highly as fourth in kickoff returns and eighth in punt returns of the 128 FCS teams. He served as Lafayette’s Interim Head Coach in 2021.
During his tenure at Lafayette College, McFadden had the opportunity to recruit and coach former Hilton Head Prep quarterback, Stone McDonald ’20, who speaks highly of McFadden's impact on his life and career. "Coach McFadden changed my life when he recruited me from Hilton Head Prep back in 2019. I am excited for everyone at Prep who will benefit from his coaching, wisdom, and mentorship. He's exactly the type of coach Prep needs on the field and in life. This is a big win for Prep!” said McDonald.
Head of School, Paul Horgan, expressed his enthusiasm for McFadden's appointment, stating, "Coach McFadden brings Hilton Head Prep a seasoned, proven coach who will be an exceptional mentor for our young men and a leader to raise the level of our football program. We are excited to welcome him and his family to our school community."
Director of Athletics, Shon Hardy, echoed Horgan'ssentiments, emphasizing McFadden's passion for mentoring young athletes. "Coach McFadden is an outstanding addition to the Prep Athletic Department and our overall coaching staff!! From my first conversation with Doug, I was impressed by his knowledge of the game and his dedication to guiding young men through football. As Prep Athletics continues to pursue excellence, I am confident that Coach McFadden is the right leader to lead our football program to success."
McFadden expressed his excitement about joining Hilton Head Prep, stating, "With 15 years of coaching experience at high academic institutions, Hilton Head Prep was a great match for what I was looking for in a school. I'm excited to have an opportunity to build a program and empower student-athletes on and off the field."
McFadden outlined his vision for the football program, emphasizing a process-driven approach to success. "We will be a process-driven football team who competes and improves as individuals and as a team each day. Our motto is 'If there's a will, there's a way to win the day!' We will make alumni and friends proud to be Dolphins, with the ultimate goal of winning Championships!"
McFadden's appointment has garnered praise from former players and coaching colleagues alike. Malik Hamm, Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, described McFadden as "one of the best coaches I've been around," while A.J. Blazek, Offensive Line Coach at the University of Wisconsin, hailed McFadden as "an outstanding addition" to the Prep Athletic Department.
Rich Yahner, Defensive Coordinator at Virginia Military Institute, commended McFadden's ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, stating that he "will make Hilton Head Prep an elite prep football program." Tom McEntire, Defensive Pass Game Coordinator at University of Maine added, “Coach McFadden is a home run hire. He will lead the program with a high desire to win on and off the field and do it with integrity and accountability. He understands football at an elite level, but more importantly understands people.”
Coach McFadden and his wife, Susan, have three daughters, Olivia, Gabrielle, and Payton. Gabrielle and Payton will be joining their father at Hilton Head Prep as students.
With the hiring of Doug McFadden, Hilton Head Preparatory School looks forward to a bright future for its football program and the continued development of its student-athletes.
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Hilton Head Island, SC – February 12, 2024 – Hilton Head Preparatory School proudly announces the appointment of Doug McFadden as the new Head Football Coach, effective April 1, 2024. McFadden brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to Hilton Head Prep, having most recently served as the Pass Game Coordinator and Secondary Coach at Colgate University since 2022.
McFadden's coaching journey reflects a commitment to excellence and a passion for developing young talent. His football career began at Southwest Baptist University, where he played cornerback before transitioning into coaching roles at Langston University and Hutchinson Community College. McFadden also played professionally for the Wichita Warlords for a season. He is a two-time recipient of the NFL Bill Walsh Minority Internship, working with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and the Cleveland Browns in 2014, and in 2019 attended the NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy.
McFadden coached at Lafayette College from 2009 to 2022, where he made significant contributions as the defensive secondary and punt team coach. In his tenure, he was elevated to special teams coordinator at Lafayette, achieving remarkable success with units ranking as highly as fourth in kickoff returns and eighth in punt returns of the 128 FCS teams. He served as Lafayette’s Interim Head Coach in 2021.
During his tenure at Lafayette College, McFadden had the opportunity to recruit and coach former Hilton Head Prep quarterback, Stone McDonald ’20, who speaks highly of McFadden's impact on his life and career. "Coach McFadden changed my life when he recruited me from Hilton Head Prep back in 2019. I am excited for everyone at Prep who will benefit from his coaching, wisdom, and mentorship. He's exactly the type of coach Prep needs on the field and in life. This is a big win for Prep!” said McDonald.
Head of School, Paul Horgan, expressed his enthusiasm for McFadden's appointment, stating, "Coach McFadden brings Hilton Head Prep a seasoned, proven coach who will be an exceptional mentor for our young men and a leader to raise the level of our football program. We are excited to welcome him and his family to our school community."
Director of Athletics, Shon Hardy, echoed Horgan'ssentiments, emphasizing McFadden's passion for mentoring young athletes. "Coach McFadden is an outstanding addition to the Prep Athletic Department and our overall coaching staff!! From my first conversation with Doug, I was impressed by his knowledge of the game and his dedication to guiding young men through football. As Prep Athletics continues to pursue excellence, I am confident that Coach McFadden is the right leader to lead our football program to success."
McFadden expressed his excitement about joining Hilton Head Prep, stating, "With 15 years of coaching experience at high academic institutions, Hilton Head Prep was a great match for what I was looking for in a school. I'm excited to have an opportunity to build a program and empower student-athletes on and off the field."
McFadden outlined his vision for the football program, emphasizing a process-driven approach to success. "We will be a process-driven football team who competes and improves as individuals and as a team each day. Our motto is 'If there's a will, there's a way to win the day!' We will make alumni and friends proud to be Dolphins, with the ultimate goal of winning Championships!"
McFadden's appointment has garnered praise from former players and coaching colleagues alike. Malik Hamm, Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, described McFadden as "one of the best coaches I've been around," while A.J. Blazek, Offensive Line Coach at the University of Wisconsin, hailed McFadden as "an outstanding addition" to the Prep Athletic Department.
Rich Yahner, Defensive Coordinator at Virginia Military Institute, commended McFadden's ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, stating that he "will make Hilton Head Prep an elite prep football program." Tom McEntire, Defensive Pass Game Coordinator at University of Maine added, “Coach McFadden is a home run hire. He will lead the program with a high desire to win on and off the field and do it with integrity and accountability. He understands football at an elite level, but more importantly understands people.”
Coach McFadden and his wife, Susan, have three daughters, Olivia, Gabrielle, and Payton. Gabrielle and Payton will be joining their father at Hilton Head Prep as students.
With the hiring of Doug McFadden, Hilton Head Preparatory School looks forward to a bright future for its football program and the continued development of its student-athletes.
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