Pinewood Prep has a new head coach for its football program.
Dann Holland, who served as assistant coach responsible for the offensive line for the Panthers the past two seasons, was named the new Panthers’ head coach Jan. 22. Holland replaces Pinky Guerard, who will retire at the end of this school year after serving as the Panthers’ head coach for the past three seasons and an assistant coach at Summerville High School for some 35 years.
“Dann Holland is a first-class coach who deserves the opportunity to direct his own program,” Pinewood Athletic Director Nancy Beatty said. “He is an intense coach who has a strong commitment toward winning in the right way. He's a very positive person and has a lot of respect for the dedication and commitment of our student-athletes. His drive for excellence and value of tradition will help continue the success of our football program and with time take it to the next level.”
Prior to being hired as a history teacher at Pinewood, Holland taught and coached at Orangeburg Prep for eight years. In addition to football, he also coached basketball, strength and conditioning, and golf. His last two years at the school, he was the offensive coordinator as well as the quarterbacks/runningbacks coach.
With Holland running the offense, the Indians averaged 29.2 points per game. His coaching accolades include being selected as a coach for the SCISA North-South All-star game in 2002 and 2007 and as a coach for the SCISA Shrine Bowl in 2009.
As a player, Holland was an all-region offensive/defensive lineman for Mid Carolina High School and a four-year letterman at Charleston Southern University. He was a captain for the Buccaneers in 1992.
He and his wife, Jessica, live in Knightsville with their three children – Noah, 6, Emma Grace, 4, and Sage, 2.
Beatty says Holland is the right person to continue what Guerard started. Under the leadership of the veteran coach, the Panthers were 19-15, made the playoffs three consecutive seasons and reached several milestones.
“Coach Guerard was hired at the time in which our football program needed much stability and direction,” Beatty said. “In his second season, Coach Guerard engineered the school’s first ever football playoff victory over Heathwood Hall before losing to the eventual SCISA State Champion Hammond Skyhawks in the state semi-finals. We are grateful for the time and commitment Coach Guerard has given to Pinewood and to the building of the success and respect of our football program.”
 
Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.