BOILING SPRINGS — Mark Barnes is back in the saddle at Crest High School.
After a decade in the Palmetto State, Barnes has returned to Boiling Springs for another round as Charger football coach. Barnes was presented to the community Friday afternoon in Ed Peeler Gymnasium.
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He takes over for Greg Lloyd, who stepped down 24 hours after leading Crest to the 2025 NCHSAA 5A state championship in December. The Chargers went 23-5 in his two seasons at the helm.
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Oddly, Barnes takes over the Crest football program in much the same position as he left it.
Barnes was previously in charge at Crest from 2010-14, leading it to NCHSAA state final appearances in four of his five seasons. After finishing as state runner-up in 2010, 2011 and 2013, the Chargers broke through with a perfect season in 2014, capping the effort with a 24-3 victory over Havelock.
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Barnes’ teams went 63-13 in his time at Crest, earning a pair of South Mountain Athletic Conference titles to go with the 2014 state crown.
Barnes spent the past 11 seasons at Sumter High in South Carolina, going 107-22 during his time at the schools. The Gamecocks dominated region opponents during his tenure, earning a 52-2 record and nine league championships. He led Sumter to the regional semifinal round on three occasions.
In addition to Crest and Sumter, Barnes made stops at Reidsville, Scotland County and Brevard. He was twice named North Carolina coach for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, in addition to a stint as assistant coach in the NCACA East-West All-Star Game.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Crest football tabs Mark Barnes as head coach