IRMO, S.C. — It was a normal evening at home for Irmo head football coach Aaron Brand. His son, AJ Brand, hit the coach up for a little money to make a Sonic run.
But the younger Brand had a play call that he had to keep under wraps until the big reveal.
The coach was honored Friday as the Carolina Panthers High School Coach of the Year in a surprise ceremony inside the Irmo gymnasium. The Panthers presented the coach a commemorative trophy and a $2,000 check for the school’s athletics department.
Brand becomes one of 32 national nominees for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award. Two winners, one representing the AFC and one the NFC, will be announced prior to the NFL Pro Bowl.
In 2023, Brand concluded his fifth season at the helm of the Irmo program, leading Irmo to a 13-1 record and a spot in the 4A Lower State Championship game. It marked the most wins for the Yellow Jackets since 2002.