Seneca's Duncan resigns

Seneca football coach Ron Duncan resigned on Thursday afternoon after two seasons on the job.

The Bobcats were 6-16 under Duncan who came to Seneca from Bamberg-Ehrhardt. Seneca, which made the playoffs both seasons Duncan was head coach, lost in the first round of the playoffs at J.L. Mann this past season. Duncan said he would finish the school year as a teacher at the school.

Athletics Director Duke Lee said Duncan brought his thoughts to the administration’s attention “some time ago,” and met with the team in the school’s field house Thursday afternoon.

Duncan said he was at peace with the decision, and felt it was the right time to move on, and he’s excited about the future. He said he would like to remain in the coaching field.

“But I’m not sure in what capacity to do it living here,” he said.

Two off-the-field incidents may have impacted the resignation.

First-year assistant coach Ronald Williams left the program after being arrested for marijuana possession in September.

“I had no control over that,” Duncan said. “It was none of my business.”

Last month, two members of the football team were arrested for allegedly assaulting a teammate in the locker room.

Duncan said the locker room incident was an “unfortunate” situation among “great kids.”

“I don’t think that had any bearing on (the decision),” Duncan said.

Lee said he couldn’t offer his perspective on the off-the-field incidents.

“I can’t comment on situations like that,” Lee said. “I will say that Coach Duncan did a great job in handling situations that came his way.”

Last offseason, Duncan hired four assistants. Former Pickens head coach Brett Turner, former Greenwood defensive coordinator Jimmy Towe, former Belton-Honea Path assistant Billy Anderson, and Williams, a former Greenwood assistant.

Because of an experienced defense that returned 10 starters, and three former head coaches on staff, including Rick Pate, Seneca was expected to contend for a Western AAA championship this past season. But injuries and the flu bug limited the Bobcats. Duncan said 41 players suffered from the flu early in the season.

Seneca began the season 0-5 as a negative turnover margin became a theme throughout the season. After four games, the turnover margin was -14.

“We never were able to get any momentum early in the season,” he said.

Duncan’s only other head coaching job was the previous five seasons at Bamberg-Ehrhardt where he had a 50-12 record.

Lee said the school and district would advertise the vacancy immediately and form a search committee to evaluate applicants. Lee said internal and external candidates would receive equal consideration.

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