An administrator with 15 years coaching experience at the secondary and collegiate levels has been selected for the top athletics post at Airport High School.

Chris Napier, an assistant principal at Newberry High School who also served as an offensive analyst for the school’s football team, will become the new football coach and athletic director at Airport High School.  The hire was recommended by Lexington School District Two Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner and approved by the Board of Trustees at a special-called meeting on May 5.

Napier has held a variety of coaching roles since first becoming a coach in 2007. In addition to his role as an offensive analyst at Newberry High School, he served as an offensive assistant at Columbia High School in Richland 1. He also has served as a head coach, wide receiver coach, offensive coordinator, running back coach, quarterback coach, offensive assistant, and offensive analyst at a number of schools, including Huntington High School, Logan High School, Nitro High School, South Charleston High School and Vinson Middle School, all in West Virginia; Fairview High School in Kentucky;  South Point High School in Ohio; Ashe County High School in North Carolina; and La Grange College in Georgia.

Prior to becoming assistant principal at Newberry High School in 2023, Napier was a team lead and educational associate in the Office of Special Education Services at the SC Department of Education; a resource coordinator and transition resource coordinator with Community Access Inc./West Virginia Department of Education; and an elementary school special education teacher and high school health teacher. He started his career in education as a classroom aide in August 2008. 

Napier has an associate degree from Ashland Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Marshall University, and a master’s degree and Ed.S. from the University of the Cumberlands.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be selected as athletic director and head football coach at Airport High School,” Napier said.  “I look forward to building on the rich traditions of Eagles athletics and working with our student-athletes, staff, and community.”

Principal Matt Schilit said he looks forward to working with Napier.

“I am excited to welcome Coach Napier and his family to Airport High. He brings strong administrative and extensive coaching experience to our school,” Schilit said. “I look forward to supporting him in the years ahead and can’t wait for him to meet our students.”