For as long as he can remember, Adam Kinloch has dreamed of one day being the head football coach at Colleton County High School.
From his days as a ballboy for the Walterboro Bulldogs in the mid-90’s to playing for Colleton County High after the merger with Ruffin High, Kinloch knew that his ultimate job would be as head coach of the program.
Kinloch, who will turn 34 in February, is getting his shot. The Colleton County School District announced his hiring as the next head coach on Jan. 17.
Kinloch, the son of former Ruffin and Colleton County assistant Greg Kinsey, spent the last 10 years preparing himself to become a head coach. He spent five years as an assistant at Whale Branch and two seasons at May River. He returned to Whale Branch for the last three seasons as offensive coordinator.
“Everything I have done to this point was in preparation to be a head coach,” Kinloch said. “But I was not trying to be a head coach at any other school. I wanted to be the head coach at Colleton County. It’s my home. I bleed blue and silver and all I ever wanted was this opportunity.”
Kinloch interviewed and was a finalist for the head-coaching position when it was last open prior to the 2021 season. He did not get the job then, but he never wavered in his desire to someday get another opportunity.
“Last time, it wasn’t my time,” he said. “The timing is right now. If I didn’t get the job this time around, I was prepared to wait and try again when it came open. I say it over and over. This is the job I wanted.”
Kinloch graduated from Colleton County in 2007. He was a member of the 2005 team that had Colleton County’s last winning season. The program he inherits is down, but not out. The Cougars are 16-43 over the last six seasons, including a 1-9 record in 2022.
“None of the past matters now. What matters is the future and I am focused on that,” Kinloch said. “I know there’s a lot of work to be done but I am ready. I want to change the culture. I want to find kids that truly want to be a part of the program, not just say they play football.
“I have a vision and my job is to make these kids believe in something. It’s going to take some time and a lot of effort but, like I said, I’ve been preparing for this for my whole life.”
Soccer coaches in Hall of Fame
Two of the most successful high school soccer coaches in the Lowcountry were inducted into the S.C. High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame last weekend.
Former Bishop England boys coach Ed Khouri and current Wando girls coach Shannon Champ were included in the ceremony as part of the annual winter clinic of the organization.
Khouri, who recently retired from coaching, won more than 500 games and 14 state championships at Bishop England. The Bishops also were state runner-up five times.
Champ has guided Wando to seven state championships and six state runner-up finishes, including the Class AAAAA title in 2022.
Preseason baseball rankings
The S.C. Baseball Coaches Association released its preseason statewide rankings last week.
Class AAAAA defending state champion Berkeley is the preseason No. 1 team in AAAAA as the season begins. Summerville is ranked No. 2 in AAAAA while West Ashley is ranked 10th.
James Island is ranked No. 4 in the Class AAAA list and Hanahan is ranked No. 4 in Class AAA.
Defending state champion Oceanside Collegiate is the top-ranked team in Class AA. Woodland is ranked No. 6 in AA and Bishop England is ranked 10th.
David Shelton’s Lowcountry Top 10
Boys Basketball
1. Summerville
2. Oceanside Collegiate
3. First Baptist
4. Goose Creek
5. Cane Bay
6. Porter-Gaud
7. James Island
8. Woodland
9. Ashley Ridge
10. Baptist Hill
Girls Basketball
1. Philip Simmons
2. Stratford
3. Military Magnet
4. Summerville
5. Fort Dorchester
6. Stall
7. Cane Bay
8. Northwood Academy
9. Timberland
10. Oceanside Collegiate