USC’s Elliott Speaks to DCS Boosters

By Craig Brown

The Dillon Christian School’s annual booster club fund raising dinner was held at the Dillon Wellness Center Tuesday night.

A large turnout of supporters was present with a large number of those fans of the University of South Carolina Football program as the guest speaker was offensive line head coach Sean Elliott.

DCS Athletic Director Christian Wolfe gave the opening remarks and welcomed the guests in attendance. Wolfe stated that although he was a Tiger fan he was very happy to have a speaker of Elliott’s reputation as the events guest speaker. Wolfe asked coach Lannie Carpenter to pray and give the blessing for the dinner.

Those in attendance were treated to southern style chopped bar-b-cue and ribs with sides of backbone and rice, beans, sweet potatoes, and slaw with mini biscuits and desserts.

After the meal, booster club president Jim Brown introduced Elliott and added that normally the Athletic director would do this but he wasn’t sure if a loyal Tiger fan like his friend, Coach Wolfe, could stand under such a strain. Brown added that Sean had ties to Dillon County as Lois Graham of Dillon and Allen “Squeaky” Elliott of Latta were his aunt and uncle with several cousins also in the area.

Coach Elliot began his speech by stating that his mother and father were married 51 years ago in Dillon. Coach Elliott remarked that they had a commitment to each other and their children and have remained loyal to their commitments throughout their 51 years together.

Coach Elliott grew up and went to school in Camden and was a solid defensive player for the Bull Dogs. After graduation, he attended and graduated from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Upon graduation, he got a good paying job with a nice future. Coach Elliott was not settled in his job very long when ASU called and offered him a coaching job. Coach Elliott did not hesitate in taking the much lower paying job. Five years later, with coaching promotions, he was finally making what he was making before taking this job.

Like his mother and father in their commitment to their marriage he was committed to this program. He had never played on offense before but quickly picked up on the hows and whys of working an offensive line. Coach Elliot advised ASU that he would not leave them unless he received an offer too good to be true.

A few years later he received an invite to USC to interview for the offensive line coaches job. At the time he did not feel that was well received and went back home. That same year the Gamecocks had a less than happy game against the University of Connecticut in the Papa John’s Bowl. During the game Coach Elliott texted Coach Spurrier and informed him he could help. Shortly after the game he was hired.

Coach Elliot was supposed to interview for a coaching position with the University of Alabama days before this event. Coach Elliott’s commitment to USC was too strong for him to pass on at this time. Coach Elliot stressed that USC did not want players or coaches without commitment to the program. Coach Elliott closed his remarks to a standing ovation.

Coach Wolfe closed the program by thanking Coach Elliott for his inspiring speech and thanked Norton Hughes for cooking the delicious meal. Sandy Carpenter drew names from a Warrior football helmet to award door prizes. Matt Jordan closed the event in prayer. Coach Elliott and members of the Graham and Elliott families stayed on to talk with those in attendance.

On a special note, Warrior line Coach Joey Boykin and his partner in crime Steve Johnson boldly stated that the Warriors would be a force to contend with next year in football. Coach Wolfe was not available to verify these comments as true or to call for strait jackets. One thing I learned about Boykin and Johnson is that they don’t bluff. They are not always right but they don’t bluff. That is how the program closed, with spirits high as well as hopes.