CARY– Panther Creek High School has named its new cross country and track field coach, according to a press release from the school.

                Paul Scruggs will join Panther Creek’s social studies department as well as serving as a coach, after spending 11 years as a teacher and coach at North Pitt High School in Greenville. 

                As an undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in exercise and sport science (coaching education).  He then earned a master’s degree in teaching from UNC-Chapel Hill and became a national board certified teacher.

                Scruggs began as an assistant coach at North Pitt for cross country in 2004 and took over as head cross country coach in 2009.  He has been the head track & field coach since 2005.  While coaching at North Pitt, Scruggs was recognized as the Conference Coach of the Year 10 times.  His teams won 11 conference championships, including three last school year (men’s cross country, women’s cross country, and men’s track). He has coached Individual state champions in the 110 hurdles, the 4 x 400 relay, and the pole vault.

                When Scruggs began coaching at North Pitt, the track & field program did not offer pole vault.  He cultivated student interest and raised funds for an on-campus pole vault pit.  This past spring season, five of his student-athletes qualified for the state meet in the pole vault.

                “Coach Scruggs will be a tremendous addition to our staff at Panther Creek,” said L.J.Hepp, Panther Creek’s athletic director.  “He achieved success at North Pitt with great dedication to the development of student-athletes.  We are fortunate to be able to add such a high-quality, experienced teacher and coach and we are thrilled that he will be working with our students at Panther Creek.”