HHCA Names New Athletic Director 

In a message to Hilton Head Christian Academy families on February 28, 2024, Head of School Doug Langhals shared the news that Coach JW Wilkerson has been named HHCA's new Athletic Director (AD), effective June 1, 2024. 

Last fall, HHCA formed an Athletics Leadership Team to lead the department through the 2023-2024 school year. This enabled HHCA's administrative team and Board of Directors to search thoughtfully and prayerfully over the course of several months for HHCA's new Athletic Director. The initial search, which included nearly 50 candidates, was narrowed to four strong candidates from South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina. Each candidate met extensively with our athletic staff, coaches, administration and student-athletes during the search process.

Coach Wilkerson's love for the Lord, his vision for the program, his proven track record while serving at HHCA over the past three years, and his eagerness to grow and learn in this capacity make him an excellent leader for HHCA Athletics.

Doug Langhals, Head of School

Coach Wilkerson has been a part of HHCA Athletics since 2021, when he was hired as the Head Coach for Varsity Baseball and served as Assistant Athletic Director under former AD Jason Grunkemeyer. Wilkerson has been an integral part of the current Athletics Leadership Team this year. 

Wilkerson, a Bluffton High School graduate and member of BHS's Athletics Hall of Fame, played collegiate baseball at Toccoa Falls College (NAIA/NCCAA) when the team was the 2010 National Runner-Up. Prior to returning home to South Carolina, he spent seven years with Southwest Florida Christian Academy (SFCA) in Fort Myers, Florida, where he helped build a winning baseball program and was named the 2019 FACA District Coach of the Year.

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as HHCA's next Athletic Director and will be stepping into the role with excitement and a firm commitment to excellence, character development, sportsmanship, and Christ-centered mentorship. I am passionate about fostering a culture of integrity, teamwork, and respect - both on and off the field. Together with our talented coaches, dedicated staff, and supportive community, I am eager to lead an already excellent HHCA Athletics program. 

- JW Wilkerson, Incoming Athletic Director

JW and his wife, Lauren, have three children: Kegan (1st grade), Kollins (rising Kindergarten) and Kade (3 months). The Wilkersons attend City Hope Church and have loved being close to family since returning to the Lowcountry.