HANCEL PHIPPS NAMED AS SSS FOOTBALL COACH

Submitted by SMITHFIELD-SELMA HIGH SCHOOL

SMITHFIELD — Smithfield-Selma High School is pleased to announce that Hancel Phipps has been named to take the helm as the new football coach of the Spartans.

Coach Phipps brings a tremendous amount of expertise and energy to the program. He has spent the past 10 years as the offensive coordinator at Wake Forest High School, which has consistently produced a winning record. Prior to joining the staff at Wake Forest, Phipps has led in differing roles that included head coach and athletic director.

Phipps led the offenses to five 4AA Eastern Regional Championships and three State Championships. He has traveled and led Wing-T Clinics in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. He is a motivator, a strategist and a true leader who will inspire student-athletes to be their best both on and off the field.

Phipps believes in building strong relationships with our studentathletes and creating a culture of hard work, dedication and teamwork leading to success. He takes over the Spartans program that is coming off a conference championship, the team’s first since 1998. The team finished with a record of 9-2 and has reached the state playoffs two years in a row.

“We were looking for the best coach out there for our players, the school and the community. Coach Phipps’ success at Wake Forest is a great example of what we want to build at SSS and I have every confidence he will bring those winning elements to Smithfield-Selma,” said SSS Principal David Allen.

“We believe that Coach Phipps is the right person to build on the proud tradition of Smithfield-Selma football and we look forward to seeing the team excel under his leadership,” said Athletic Director Lori Rose.

Phipps replaces Deron Donald, who compiled a 19-11 mark in three seasons at SSS before taking the job at Garner High School on Jan. 30.