LOCAL JOB WILL LIKELY KEEP TINSLEY AT NITRO

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 07/09/2007
Page: 1B
Headline: LOCAL JOB WILL LIKELY KEEP TINSLEY AT NITRO
Byline: J.T. SIMMS

DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER

After nearly a month of speculation, it looks like Scott Tinsley will be the Nitro High football coach again this season.
Tinsley has informed Nitro Principal Paul McClanahan that, assuming a local job offer comes through as promised, he will turn down a job at Waccamaw High in Pawley’s Island, S.C.
“We’re going to offer him a job working with the town’s youth,” Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto said. “He’s a unique coach, and we’re in a unique situation to be able to help him.”
Casto expected the two would meet today to finalize details of the position.
“I think it is going to work out,” he said.
Tinsley currently works at Crown Pontiac as a car salesman when he is not tending to his duties as the Wildcats’ football, girls basketball and softball coaches.
The three positions combine to pay $8,200 per year, but they severely limit the time he has to work at his other job.
“It makes it tough to make a living,” Tinsley said.
The Waccamaw position as offensive coordinator offered close to $2,000 more than that in salary for a five-month contract along with some other perks such as housing.
He also would be allowed to fill in as a substitute teacher there, something he cannot do in Kanawha County.
“He was really interested,” veteran Waccamaw Coach Bernie Bourne told the Myrtle Beach Sun News on Saturday. “I think it came down to the family thing, which is usually what it comes down to. We would have liked to have him, though.”
A major part of Tinsley’s decision to stay also involved being able to coach his daughter, Nikki, a junior, in softball. If he had left for the South Carolina job, he could not be guaranteed retaining Nitro’s softball position or its girls basketball job, for that matter.
“When you are making a decision just for yourself, it is easy,” he said.
“You just do what is best for you.
“But when a kid is involved, you have to do what is right for them if at all possible. I just can’t risk not being able to coach her.”
There also was the lure of a girls basketball team that returns four starters from last season’s State Tournament team, including two-time All-State guard Kendra Wallace.
“It was possible that I might not have been able to return to coach that team either,” Tinsley said.
“And I would have hated that.”
Former Nitro Coach Robert “Little” Burdette is on Bourne’s staff and has been at the school since 2002.
“It all started when (Tinsley) and (Nitro assistant coach) Mike Scott came down here golfing,” Burdette said. “(Bourne) wanted to meet him because he had heard so much about him.”
As offensive coordinator at Nitro, Tinsley was instrumental in developing quarterback J.R. House, who set several national passing records and led the Wildcats to the 1998 Class AAA state title.
Since taking over as head coach in 2002, Tinsley has put together a 44-15 record and led Nitro to the playoffs four out of five years, including a runner-up finish in 2005.
Waccamaw finished 1-8 last season.
“When I got here, it was just about as bad as it could be,” Burdette said. “We’re just about to turn the corner and (Tinsley) would really help.”
The West Virginia high school football record book is loaded with Nitro offensive players who have developed under Tinsley. Thanks in a large part to his high-powered attack, the Wildcats have not only won games but also attracted large crowds that have helped fill the school’s athletic department accounts.
“I’ve always said I’d be happy to have Scott on the same staff as me for obvious reasons,” Burdette said. “But I understand that is hard for a guy like him to leave his daughter and he should be commended for that.
“But it’s no secret what Scott Tinsley needs to do. He needs to move on.”
Tinsley admits his goal has been to eventually move into a major college offensive coordinator position.
Under his guidance, senior quarterback Michael Scott threw for 2,928 yards and 25 touchdowns last season and is a leading candidate for state player of the year honors this season.
There was a good chance Scott would have joined Tinsley in South Carolina.
Besides the money and the opportunity to rejoin old friend Burdette, the other attraction at Waccamaw was being able to work with Bourne.
“He’s coached for over 30 years before he came here four years ago,” Burdette said. “He’s coached in the North-South game, the Shrine game, he knows everyone.”
Bourne won two Class AAA state titles while at Cheraw High, also in South Carolina. He also coached current Coastal Carolina Coach David Bennett.
“With Coach Bourne’s connections with Division I (college) coaches I think it would be easier to get a DI position,” Tinsley said. “It’s almost impossible from here. That’s what makes the offer so difficult to pass up.”
Burdette is not ready to give up so easily, though.
“I can speak for Coach Bourne,” he said. “(Tinsley) is welcome as late as he wants to come.”
Football practice in West Virginia starts July 30.