Columbia, SC, August 6, 2025
News Summary
Megan Assey takes over as the new girls basketball coach at Cardinal Newman High School, transitioning from Spring Valley High School after a successful nine-season stint. Assey’s experience includes winning championships and receiving accolades, while she aims to manage family commitments along with her coaching responsibilities. This move comes as Cardinal Newman looks to rebound from recent challenges in their girls basketball program.
Columbia, SC – Megan Assey has been appointed as the new girls basketball coach at Cardinal Newman High School, taking over the position from Barry Kesler, who recently resigned to accept a job in Newberry County. This announcement marks a new chapter for Assey, who resigned from her previous coaching role at Spring Valley High School four months ago.
Assey brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served as head coach at Spring Valley for nine seasons. During her tenure, she achieved an impressive record of 161 wins and led the team to two state championship appearances in 2018 and 2019. Under her guidance, the Spring Valley Vikings clinched the 2018 Class 4A championship against Wade Hampton, marking the sixth state title in the school’s history. She also received recognition as USA Today’s South Carolina Girls Basketball Coach of the Year in 2018, a year when the Vikings were ranked No. 9 nationally in the final USA Today poll.
Assey’s resignation from Spring Valley was prompted by health concerns stemming from a diagnosis of breast cancer, which necessitated surgery in July. She expressed a desire to prioritize her family during this challenging time, aiming to be more present for her two children and her husband, Charles, who serves as the principal at Cardinal Newman. This new coaching position allows the couple to work at the same school for the first time, which Assey described as feeling “divinely orchestrated.” She is hopeful that this role will enable her to remain connected to basketball while managing her family commitments.
Cardinal Newman has experienced difficulties in girls basketball recently after achieving a remarkable run, winning four consecutive state championships from 2019 to 2022. The hiring of Assey is seen as a significant attempt to rejuvenate the program and restore its competitive edge. Her extensive experience and successful track record make her a promising candidate to lead the team forward.
The move comes amid several coaching changes in the local area, with Chapin hiring Dell Lever for baseball and Northside Christian appointing Jamaal Brown as their new girls basketball coach. The landscape of high school sports continues to evolve, with various schools adjusting their leadership to enhance team performance.
Additional Coaching Changes
| School | Former Coach | New Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Newman | Barry Kesler | Megan Assey |
| Chapin | Unknown | Dell Lever |
| Northside Christian | Unknown | Jamaal Brown |
FAQ Section
Who is the new girls basketball coach at Cardinal Newman?
Megan Assey has been named the new girls basketball coach at Cardinal Newman High School.
What are some of Megan Assey’s accomplishments as a coach?
Assey coached at Spring Valley High School for nine seasons, winning 161 games including a Class 4A championship in 2018 and receiving USA Today’s S.C. Girls Basketball Coach of the Year award in the same year.
Why did Megan Assey resign from her previous position at Spring Valley?
Assey resigned due to health concerns related to a breast cancer diagnosis, her recent surgery, and a desire to spend more time with her family.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Megan Assey Appointed Girls Basketball Coach
- Wikipedia: Girls’ Basketball
- The State: Coaching Changes in Local Sports
- Google Search: Megan Assey Girls Basketball
- WIS TV: Assey Returns to Coaching
- Google Scholar: High School Basketball Coaching
- ABC Columbia: Cardinal Newman Hires Charles Assey
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- The State: Recent High School Sports Changes
- Google News: Columbia High School Sports
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