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I’ve been friends with Chris Stone since we were in middle school, becoming buddies at summer church camp and later attending the same church together while students at Clemson University. When Chris became the new head coach for Daniel High School Football I knew with 100% certainty they landed a phenomenal coach who’s an even greater human.
Three months later, when I and many others saw headlines announcing that Chris has been placed on leave as the SDPC investigates the July 7th altercation between DHS football players, we were alarmed — not because of his character, but because the school misdirected its response by putting him on administrative leave. I actually couldn’t help but laugh in bafflement because I know Coach Stone is exactly the type of leader this football team needs for this exact situation.
I consider it an honor to have watched Chris grow into the humble, grounded, family man that he is today. If you were to ask for a character assessment (you should) from his friends, family, current and former players, teammates, coaches, or colleagues – they’d undoubtedly say similar things. Think of some of the best people you know in your life – the people you admire for their discipline and leadership who have strong moral fiber that you’d aspire to have yourself (but deep down you know it’s a long shot). I’m talking about Abe Lincoln/Marcus Lattimore-level moral fiber.
That’s Chris Stone.
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Yes, the incident involving Daniel High School student athletes is serious. Violent behavior among students is unacceptable— a student was injured, and criminal charges have been filed against three teammates. The alleged racist language and offensive messages that allegedly incited all of this are absolutely toxic. A thorough investigation is appropriate.
Legal authorities and the district are following required protocols.
People have seen the video and want answers as to why the players weren’t expelled or kicked off the team immediately. But federal law prevents school employees (coaches, admins) from releasing specific details regarding ongoing investigations and disciplinary consequences for minors. For now, there are details we just don’t know. And that silence is now twice as necessary since the parents of the injured teammate do not seem content to let justice run its course. They’ve lawyered up seeking “not only information and evidence pertinent to the camp or the incident on July 7, 2025, but also information and evidence pertinent to other similar incidents involving DW Daniel High School or Presbyterian College.”
Make of that what you will but it sounds like they’re looking to get something more out of this than a criminal prosecution.
But Chris Stone is not responsible for what those students did. Again, he was hired three months ago – he has yet to coach a single official practice much less a regular-season game. He’s had no time to shape team culture or instill his values. Meanwhile, the athletics director and principal were notified the same night of the incident as their brand new coach. They most certainly contributed their input as to how Coach Stone should navigate this incident between teammates. So the decision to place the coach on leave as the school district investigates seems instead fueled by public outrage ginned up by rage bait accounts stoking dramatic narratives and spectators demanding a head to roll.
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RELATED | DROP THE HAMMER
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Here’s what I know: In the short time since he was hired, Chris, his wife Katie, and their four small children have welcomed players into their home throughout the summer for fellowship and ice cream socials. And Chris is one of the best humans I’ve ever known — honest, humble, salt-of-the-earth. He doesn’t shelter “star players.” He confronts problems head-on, in private and publicly when called for. Many current and former players—including the very student injured—have expressed their admiration for him. And it was Chris who was by the injured student’s side once officers showed up in response to the call the night of July 7th.
So let the lawyers and juvenile justice system do their work. Let the school district conduct interviews and review policies. But do not let mob pressure determine personnel decisions. Don’t pin blame on the new guy who has barely even started because DHS is incredibly lucky to have him. Blanket administrative leave for Coach Stone seems misdirected and completely unfair with his strong record of integrity, reputation for humility, and stellar track record across the upstate from his time at Mauldin, Easley, Walhalla, Clemson, and Furman. All of this shows he is capable of meeting this moment. In summary, Chris is exactly the type of person who should be helping his team and community heal right now.
Disclosure: I’ve known Coach Stone for more than two decades and I count him as a close friend. I offer this perspective to prevent injustice because right now, the employee put on leave by the School District of Pickens County is the wrong person to target.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Tyler Matthews is a Clemson Alum and former University of South Carolina video producer living in Atlanta.
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15 comments
Sorry, 3 months, 3 days, 3 years, the coach is responsible for EVERYTHING that happens at any football event. The story is that he was present in the building when the event went down AND that he has allowed the students involved to continue with summer practice as if there were no issues. If both of those things are true – he needs to go. If one of those things is true – he still needs to go.
Agreed. The fact that those kids were not immediately dismissed from the team speaks louder than any of Chris Stone’s accomplishments prior to getting to Daniel. Refusing to get rid of good players because you fear the repercussions is not moral fiber.
You do realize that this isn’t college, right? These types of decisions are not decided upon by the head coach. There is district protocol that has to be followed, which Coach Stone did!
For the anonymous person saying he can’t kick them from the team – he CAN tell them they can’t practice until the investigation is complete. If he had at least done that then there wouldn’t be as much outrage.
“in the building” isn’t that big of a deal. They were staying in dorms
He could’ve been on a completely different floor. You can’t fault him for that. Allowing the 3 players involved to continue practicing is a big deal. He should’ve at the very least told them they can’t return to practice until the investigation is complete. Also, the ones who say in the room and filmed or just watched are lacking character as well. They should’ve immediately ran and alerted him. Or stood up for their team mate. If he said those awful slurs he’s accused of then it should’ve been addressed a different way. Violence isn’t the answer. The culture needs to change. Also, the author of the article lost credibility the second he compared coach stone to Abe Lincoln. Gimme a break.
Boys and girls, I’ll guarantee you that I’ve spent more time in barracks and dorms than any of you. I’ve been involved in competitive athletics for more than 50 years as a player, coach or official and served in the Army for 32 years. Nothing goes down in a dorm or barracks that the folks in charge aren’t eventually made privy to, just doesn’t happen. Along the way, I’ve ignored some of it because it wasn’t a real issue but something like this can not, and should not, be ignored. In fact, the video was known about weeks ago. The coach was LIVING IN the dorm with the players as is the norm at FCA sports camps. Under SCHSL rules, the coach is required to protect the players from abuse and in fact they are required to take training via NFHS to avoid this very situation.
Great article. Crazy how social media and the mob can try to create a narrative without knowing facts. ^^Case in Point: “In the building” people don’t understand a team camp scenario. These kids are in dorms between games and competitions. I’d be more concerned if an adult (or multiple adults/coaches) were hanging out in dorm rooms and having private access to students/juveniles.
Thanks for writing and being willing to speak up for a situation where too many are speaking on things they don’t know.
Thank you!! I’ve said this 1000 times since the incident. If he was hanging out in a kids’ dorm room, the outcry would be much greater.
They tried to kill that child for being white, and his attackers received a pat on the back as “punishment.” And we only know about this attack because it was recorded. How many more have happened? Did they actually kill a child?
In my opinion, that entire team should be shut down.
I still think the coaches that was responsible for the overseeing of the players were at fault too. I don’t know which ones were . The players don’t need to be on the team or in school. They should have been sent home to stay. Football is more important than players getting hurt at Daniel . ?
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From what I’m hearing coach stone was told what to do by the people above him. If the board of trustees doesn’t do their job perhaps the state should investigate. The parents of all students deserve to know which authority figure in their school system is responsible for sweeping the attack under the rug.
Is Chris Stone related to former Pickens County Sheriff Stone?
I will wait for the school and Law Enforcement to do their investigations before I start calling for people’s jobs/heads. This article was well written and presented well. Deep breath by everyone on this matter couldn’t hurt. Let’s let the process unfold. If after all investigations are complete and the mass (dare I say “mob”) is not assuaged (there will be no solution/outcome that everyone agrees with 100%), then light the bonfires and carry the pitchforks. For now, I hope everyone sets their pitchforks down (they start getting real heavy when carried for so long…)
Yes attack the kid’s parents for wanting to get justice- insinuating they want cash instead of justice? I’m sure this guy would have been passive if he found out the other kids were back to playing on the team and that the school lied. No punishment.