WILLIAMSTON –Doug Shaw has been named athletic director and new head football coach for Palmetto High School.

Shaw, currently assistant athletic airector, head football coach and physical education teacher at Mauldin High School in Greenville County, has been at Mauldin for seven years.

He was named the Big 16 Upstate Coach of the Year in 2009.

According to school officials, Shaw will be responsible for providing direction and leadership at Palmetto High for all athletic teams as they participate in the Western 3A Region. He has previously served at Myrtle Beach High School, North Myrtle Beach High and Carolina High.

“I am very excited to be coming to Palmetto High,” Shaw said. “My previous coaching jobs have been very rewarding. I have tried to instill in the young men what it takes to be successful, not only on the field of play, but in the real world as well.

This position holds the responsibility of developing young men as well as football players,” He continued. I learned from the best, my father, athletic director and head football coach for 25 years, and I saw the time and commitment that it takes to fill this position. I look forward to the opportunity of working with the athletic program at Palmetto High.”

Palmetto High officials say they are excited about the change.

“I am very excited to have Coach Doug Shaw join our team at Palmetto High. He is a proven coach with a record of improving teams wherever he has been. He places high importance on the development of not only the skills of student athletes but their character development,” Palmetto Principal Ray Callaham said.

David Havird, Associate Superintendent for Anderson One, said he believes Shaw’s skill set will be a huge benefit for the school.

“Coach Doug Shaw will bring a broad array of talents and abilities to the position of Head Football Coach/Athletic Director at Palmetto High School,” Havird said. “These include a lot of experience and excellent knowledge of high school football and the overall athletic program. Additionally, Coach Shaw is highly organized, has wonderful communication skills and a dedicated work ethic that should support and benefit each of the sports programs and student athletes at Palmetto High School.”

Shaw received his undergraduate degree from Newberry College and his Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the US Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama. He is married to Stacey Shaw, teacher at Cedar Grove Elementary. They have one son in the sixth grade at Palmetto Middle School.

“Coach Shaw has had a strong desire to be part of the athletic program in Anderson One where he resides,” said Anderson One Superintendent Wayne Fowler. “He has witnessed the level of community support for the athletic program. The school board will make this official at the May 28 meeting.”