Gaffney High hires strength coach

Gaffney High athletic teams won't be the weak sister anymore.

Gaffney joined the growing list of high schools to hire a strength coach. Tony Smith was approved by the Cherokee County school board on Monday.

Smith currently is employed by Florida Atlantic University. He also worked for Gardner-Webb and Mississippi State before beginning his career as a graduate assistant at Clemson University.

Gaffney High athletic director and head football coach Phil Strickland couldn't be happier.

"I think this is really going to be asset to the whole athletic program," Strickland said. "He'll be making our athletes bigger, stronger and faster."

Smith will oversee the weightlifting and conditioning program for each Gaffney High team. He will begin his new duties on June 16.

Strickland said Smith took the job because he wanted to return to Upstate South Carolina.

"He's from the Upstate area and he really wanted to get back home," Strickland said.

Strickland said Smith's hire evens the playing field for the Indians.

"Most of the other schools have a (strength coach)," Strickland said. "Union just hired one."

The hire also reduces the responsibilities on the coaches.

"Our coaches have done a great job (in the weight room), but it will take a lot of pressure off some of them," he said. "It puts a professional there. This will do nothing but help us."

Smith also will oversee after school and summer weight lifting and conditioning programs for all the teams, Strickland said.