After nearly three decades, Byrnes boys lacrosse HC Robert Searfoss has officially retired from his head-coaching career.
Searfoss told GreerNews.com his desire to spend more time with family — along with the 2026 class holding a special place in his heart — made now the perfect time to step away.
“My son [Cole] is going to play lacrosse at Anderson next year, and my daughter has plays and events that I just don’t want to miss,” said Searfoss. “I want to be able to spend that time with my family, and I don’t think I would be able to be fully dedicated to this program like I’d want to be. And it deserves someone who is.”
Searfoss, who has been at Byrnes since 2021, boasts a career record of 150 wins to just 89 losses. He won six region titles, an upperstate championship, and the 2021 Class 5-A state championship as the head coach at J.L. Mann.
He made stops at Lakewood, Conway, Marlboro County, Hillcrest, Travelers Rest, and J.L. Mann before arriving at Byrnes five years ago.
Searfoss said he’s thankful to close this chapter of his life as part of the tight-knit Byrnes community. He will continue in his role as a special education teacher with Spartanburg District Five.
“It truly means something to be a Rebel here,” said Searfoss. “It’s that ‘one town, one team’ throwback mindset that makes this place so special. The community — from Duncan to Lyman to Wellford and everywhere — Byrnes High School and being a Rebel means so much to these people. I wouldn’t have wanted this to end anywhere else.”
In Searfoss’ final season, Byrnes set the record for most wins program history with 10. The Rebels were eliminated from the playoffs by Mauldin on Tuesday night in a close 7-5 loss, but Searfoss says this year’s team — and it’s 19 seniors on the roster — will always hold a special place in his heart.
The final home game of Searfoss’ career was a 14-0 win over Fountain Inn on April 22.
“I’ll tell you, stepping onto that field for the last time, I mostly felt appreciation,” said Searfoss. “Before I got here, this team was playing at the Freshman Academy. To be playing in that stadium with that Jumbotron, it meant a lot.
“And so I wasn’t really thinking about me or my career. I was thinking about this program and how far it’s come, and these kids and how far they’ve come. My biggest appreciation comes from that.”
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