Bryson City – After an extensive search for a Head Football Coach the school system was not able to secure the leadership desired to move the football program forward. Leadership reached out to the one person they knew could lead the program forward in Neil Blankenship. After careful consideration Coach Blankenship agreed to return to the job. So, today, we are thrilled to officially announce that Neil Blankenship will be returning in 2021 as the Head Football Coach at Swain High School.
Blankenship took a leave of absence during the 2020 season and will be returning to the job that he stepped down from back in early May. As the coach of the Maroon Devils Blankenship has compiled a 79-31 overall record with 4 Smoky Mountain Conference Championships. In only 8 seasons at the helm his 71.82% winning percentage is third best all time at Swain. He is also 3rd all time in wins behind Hall of Famers Boyce Deitz (201) and Rod White (94).