WALTERBORO – When Coby Peeler was nine-years-old, he dreamed of being a head football coach. 35 years later, Peeler’s dream has been realized.

Peeler was named the new head football coach at Colleton County High School Friday as he signed his contract at the school in Walterboro.

Peeler, who is currently a teacher/coach at Greer High School, said he is beyond excited to get to work at Colleton County. “I grew up in a rural part of Spartanburg,” Peeler said. “It reminds me a lot of the places I have been. It is a close-knit community. The facilities are outstanding.”

Peeler has spent the past five years as the defensive back coach at Greer High School. Peeler has had many protégés move on to college, but none more exceptional than current Notre Dame Freshman Troy Pride. Pride was a four-star, all-state defensive back for the Yellow Jackets before taking his abilities to Notre Dame.

Peeler graduated from Dorman High School in 1991. He then lettered as a defensive back at Clemson University in 1993-94. He graduated from Clemson in 1996 and immediately starting coach football at the high school level.

Peeler has made numerous stops in his coaching career. In addition to Greer, he has coached at Stratford, Manning, Gaffney, Woodruff, Blacksburg and Broome High Schools. The one common denominator to all of these coaching stops is annual dates in the postseason.

Peeler wants to bring his success to Colleton County and help the Cougars turn their program around. “There is a lot of enthusiasm there,” Peeler said. “People want to be excited, but I need to earn their trust and respect. I need to let them know who I am and what I am about. They need to know that I am there to improve the situation.”

Colleton County finished 2-8 overall and 0-5 in Region 8-AAAA last season. In the five years Peeler assisted at Greer High School, the Yellow Jackets compiled a 47-13 record.

Peeler plans to bring a multiple defensive front, while incorporating a “spread” offense that will be balanced in terms of run/pass. “Defensively, we want to be gap control and constantly attacking,” Peeler said. “Offensively, we want to have tempo and stretch the field horizontally and vertically.”

Peeler is currently figuring out a plan to have Spring Practice as he is contractually obligated to finish the school year at Greer before coming to Colleton County. Peeler said the Cougars will have nine days of practice in May. “My short-term goal is to change the culture,” Peeler said. “I want to involve the community in the program and the growth of the team. Long-term, we want to win championships.”

Leaving a successful school and football program like Greer was not easy for Peeler. “It was a hard decision to make,” he said. “I love being where I am at. I have never felt like an outsider here. The administration is good here. I will miss where I am, but I am excited where I am going.”

Peeler and his wife Pam have three daughters; Delaney (18), Kyndal (13) and Marli (5). Peeler will teach two sections of history at Colleton County. He has also coached wrestling and track and field in his career.