After five years in charge of Riverside soccer, head coach Scott Columbia is stepping down from his position.
Columbia won state championships every year he served as head coach at Riverside. He finishes a perfect five-for-five on state titles — an unprecedented, unblemished record in the sport.
“None of what we accomplished these last five years is possible without the support of every single person involved,” said Columbia. “From the players to the parents to my assistants, to the Riverside administration and the team sponsors, all the way to the bus driver every away game. This doesn’t happen without them.”
Columbia informed his players of his decision the day after Riverside’s 3-1 state championship win over Lucy Beckham. On May 25, at the team’s end-of-year celebration, he broke the news.
“I knew this day would come,” said Columbia. “But that didn’t make it any easier. Seeing the faces of some of the players and how emotional they were hearing the news, I definitely questioned myself for a split second. But I had to remind myself I came to this decision for a reason. It was time.”
A new head coach has not yet been named for Riverside soccer.
Columbia will stay with the program from afar. He will assist the team in an advisory role, transitioning from the touchline to the stands.
“What [Riverside athletic director] Rob Hardy called it is almost like a ‘Director of Soccer’ role,” said Columbia. “I’ll still be helping out with the program, just in a little more distant way. You’ll still see me around the pitch, don’t worry.”
Columbia says he knew this year would be his last ever since the end of the 2024 season. He wanted the chance to coach one year with his son, Will.
Will served as the goalkeepers coach for this year’s Riverside team. The hope? Scott wanted to get his son a championship ring at last.
Will’s senior season playing for Riverside was cut short due to COVID-19. The Warriors were just beginning their ascent in 2020 and were favored to win a state title. The season lasted nine games before COVID-19 put a halt to it.
This year, Will was finally able to earn the ring he never got as a player
That was Scott’s final objective. His job was finally complete.
And a heck of a job it was.
“My goals coming into this were simple. Can I help make this team great? Can I bring the community together? Can I help implement little things that make the culture the best it can be?
“I feel like everything on that list has been checked off. I couldn't be prouder of everything that we were able to accomplish.”
For more Greer-area sports coverage, follow @GreerNewsSports on X.
