What to know about Daniel Dillard, the new head football coach at Piedmont
Earlier this year, Piedmont High School promoted its defensive coordinator Daniel Dillard to its head football coach position. Dillard is replacing Aaron Braswell, who was the head coach since 2021.
Dillard is from the area and played linebacker at Piedmont up through his sophomore season. He concluded his playing days due to concussions.
His first three years coaching were as a defensive backs coach in middle school football. He then spent three years at Jireh Prep, a post-grad program, as the DBs coach for one year and then the defensive coordinator for two years.
Metrolina Christian had Dillard on staff from 2012-2019. He was the defensive line coach in 2012 and the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach from 2013-2019. The Warriors made the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs in all seven of Dillard's defensive coordinator seasons and finished as state runners-up in 2018 and 2019.
Cuthbertson hired Dillard to serve as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach in 2020 and he stayed in that position through the 2021 season. With Dillard on staff, Cuthbertson made it to the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association state playoffs for the second time in school history. Before his arrival, Cuthbertson's defense allowed 36 points-per-game. During his 19 games there, the Cavaliers gave up 24 points-per-game.
Dillard returned to Metrolina as its defensive line coach in 2022 and then was hired as the defensive coordinator at Piedmont ahead of the 2023 season.
Over his 12 seasons coaching at the high school level, Dillard has coached 27 all-conference players.
