SerpApi.Org
John Combs is leaving his job as Spring Valley athletic director to take a position with the South Carolina High School League.
Combs will be an associate commissioner for the SCHSL, which is headquartered in Columbia. He’ll replace Sarah Hayes, who left last month to become the athletic director at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill. Hayes was with the SCHSL for three years, and some of her duties included overseeing basketball, swimming and lacrosse.
It’s the first staff hire for interim SCHSL commissioner Amy Boozer. The SCHSL hasn’t officially announced Combs’ addition, but the opening to fill his old job has been posted online.
Combs has been the AD at Spring Valley since the 2023-24 school year. Spring Valley is one of the largest schools in the state with more than 2,000 students.
Before becoming an AD, Combs was a longtime basketball coach in the Midlands and started as a student manager for South Carolina Gamecocks men’s program under Eddie Fogler.
Combs’ coaching stops included Westwood, Ben Lippen and Ridge View. He had a successful run at Ridge View, leading the Blazers to the playoffs in 10 of his 11 seasons there. Ridge View won two region titles and played for a state championship in 2011, losing to Irmo.
Combs also is heavily involved with the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association and with the organization’s hall of fame and North-South All-Star Game.
