Oceanside Collegiate Academy football coach resigns; Interim Head Coach appointed

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Oceanside Collegiate Academy (OCA) Principal Christina Brown announced today that Chad Wilkes, head coach of the Landsharks football team, has resigned from his position.

Wilkes, who became the Landsharks’ head coach in January 2022, led the team to two consecutive SCHSL AA championship games in 2022 and 2023, ultimately securing the state title last fall.

“It has been a privilege and a dream come true to work with such an amazing and dedicated team of coaches and players in my 2+ years as a Head Coach at Oceanside,” Wilkes said in his resignation letter. “Helping deliver the school’s first Football State Championship and the first Football State Championship for Mount Pleasant in 70 years and Charleston County in 40 years is an honor and a privilege I will never forget.”

Throughout his time at OCA, Wilkes focused on the development of student-athletes both on and off the field, emphasizing sportsmanship, teamwork, and academic achievement.

“Coach Wilkes tenured his resignation for personal reasons,” Brown said. “He has our heartfelt appreciation for all of his hard work and contributions to our school and football program over the last three years and we all wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his service to OCA.”

John Patterson, assistant coach, has been named Interim Head Coach for the rest of the 2024 season. Patterson brings nearly 40 years of coaching experience, having served in various roles including head coach, offensive line coach, offensive coordinator, strength coach, and recruiting coordinator. His extensive career includes coaching positions in the indoor professional league and at three different high schools, as well as serving as an Athletic Director. Patterson’s collegiate coaching experience includes tenures at Elon, Winston-Salem State, The Citadel, and Lenoir-Rhyne.

A search for a permanent head coach will begin after the current season concludes. Details about the search process will be shared as they become available.

The Landsharks will play their second game of the season this Friday night, hosting Calvary Day School at 7:30 p.m. at Johnson Hagood Stadium on The Citadel campus in Charleston.

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