Former South Carolina quarterback introduced as head coach of in-state school
On Wednesday, Nation Ford High School announced former South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley as its new head football coach. The Fort Mill-based school opened in 2007, and Bentley will be just the program’s third head coach. He will move over from Rock Hill High School where he served as the team’s quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator.
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Bentley will take over a rebuilding project at Nation Ford. The Falcons haven’t had a winning season in five years and haven’t won seven games since 2016. Following the 2024 season, MaxPreps ranked Nation Ford 43rd out of 54 5A programs in the Palmetto State. He will follow previous head coach Michael Allen and interim head coach Jason McManus.
Coaching is in Bentley’s blood. His father, former South Carolina football assistant Bobby Bentley, also is a legendary high school coach in South Carolina, having guided the Byrnes Rebels to four state championships in a row from 2002 to 2005.
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Before entering the high school coaching ranks, the younger Bentley spent a couple of seasons coaching in college. Following the end of his playing days, he spent one year as an off-field analyst at Florida Atlantic and one year as the quarterbacks coach at North Alabama.
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During his South Carolina football career, Bentley put up some of the best numbers in program history. Despite missing significant time due to injury and a partial redshirt season, he ranks 4th all-time among Gamecocks in passing yards (7527). Both his 55 passing touchdowns and 63 total scores rank 3rd in USC history. His 510 yards against Clemson in 2018 is also a Carolina record. Like current starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers, Bentley is one of just eight Gamecocks to toss five touchdowns in one game.
