When you think of “hometown” it doesn’t hardly get any more hometown than Adam Kinloch.
Kinloch was raised locally and is a “proud country boy from Greenpond.” He came up through the Colleton County School District starting at the Ivenia Brown Elementary School, then to Colleton County Middle School, and then Colleton County High School where he played football at cornerback. It was not a sport he just happened to stumble across. Adam has been around football his entire life. His dad, Greg Kinsey was the head coach of the football team at Ruffin from 1996 until the doors closed in 2012. You could use the cliché that football is in his blood. He loves sports, particularly football, and he knew he wanted to play, and he knew when he was done playing he wanted to coach. He did have a moment in college where he had to make a decision between law enforcement and football, but football won out. Kinloch continued his education at South Carolina State University where earned his undergraduate in consumer science and went on the earn his master’s (Med) in counselor education.
Now Coach Kinloch has made his way back to his hometown and is now the head coach of the Colleton County Cougars football team. When asked what his favorite thing is about football he replies, “just the life lessons you get from football.” He cites how to be “tough” mentally and physically, be detail oriented, be disciplined, learning techniques, and how to work with people. “You have 11 different people all with the same goal, and you’re going to want to be on the same page.” When asked what his short term goal is for the team he comments with a grin, “we want to win” of course.” He also wants to put a product on the field that the community can rally around and support. He also wants the kids to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. Coach Kinloch assesses, “that’s what we’re working on as a team right now. We know we have talent, but making sure that the product that we put on the field, making sure we have the right kids in place, and we all are on the same page is what we are looking for.” He is also looking forward to getting the kids out there and the community showing support by coming to games, but also holding his players accountable when they aren’t around him. He encourages people when they see the players out and about to make sure they are doing the right thing, but also offer words of encouragement such as “I’m proud of you” and “keep going.”
On a personal level, Adam is married to his wife Shaquanda and they have three children, Aiden (13), Cameron (8), and Colton (4). Right now, none of the kids are playing football, but Dad is going to let them pick and choose. He admits it is kind of hard because he’s so passionate about football than other sports, but he will find a way to work with what they may choose.
I asked Coach Kinloch what his long term goals were for the team. His answer surprised me. I was talking about football, and he knew that, but his answer was not about football at all. “Long term goal is always going to be the same. Let’s get our kids college ready, military ready, or workforce ready.” The life lessons Kinloch learned when he played, and tries to instill in his players he hopes will go toward helping his players in life and not just on Friday night. That is what makes Adam Kinloch a “Hometown Hero”. His goal is not only to teach the game of football to these kids. He wants his players to be successful on and off the field and beyond.
Thank you, Adam Kinloch, for all you do for this community by coming back home and being someone that can be looked up to whether they play football or not.
