Providence hires Brad Bowles as its football head coach

Providence High has hired Brad Bowles as its new football coach.

Bowles replaces Justin Hardin, who left Providence last month to become head coach at N.C. 4A power Independence. Hardin was 18-9 in two seasons at Providence, including leading the Panthers to a 10-4 record and a berth in the N.C. 4AA state quarterfinals in 2014.

Bowles, a 2004 East Tennessee State graduate, was an assistant for three seasons at Goose Creek (S.C.) High and became head coach and athletics director at St. John’s High in Charleston County in 2013. He was the school’s fourth coach in 48 years. Bowles’ team was 8-4 last season.

Bowles was recognized as Region 6A coach of the year in 2013 and 2014, when his teams were 9-0 against regional competition. In 2014, St. John’s won its first playoff game since 2006.

At Providence, he will be the school’s fifth head coach. Providence opened in 1989. Providence will host a formal introduction April 14 at the school’s auditorium at 6 p.m. The meeting is for football players and their parents.

This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Providence hires Brad Bowles as its football head coach."