According to the untimely words of the eminent civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. It is in my heartfelt opinion that what Dr. King was saying to the masses of the people is that it is so easy to look strong, moral, and courageous when life is comfortable, when no one is criticizing you, and when you’re not required to sacrifice anything. However, one’s true character is revealed when he or she faces pressure, difficulty, or opposition. Consequently, a person’s real values show when doing what is right is hard, unpopular, or comes with personal cost.
One day last week as I was scrolling through Facebook, I encountered a post that really got my undivided attention. I read it several times to be clear of the gist of it. Of course, much of it was news to me because one would have had to work closely with Coach Adam Kinloch to know all of what was said in that post. It was written by Coach Keivy Rowes, one of the faithful and very caring members of Coach Kinloch’s staff. Much of what he had written in this post was so touching, reflecting “the measure of this man,” of who Coach Kinloch has been to his team members at Colleton County High School for the past three years. He kept this post positive, but real. Further, the post cast no disrespect to their superiors. Therefore, with Coach Rowes’ permission, I chose to publish this post, depicting how he has seen the real Coach Adam Kinloch. “The beginning of the Kinloch era wasn’t easy, but real change never is. When Coach Kinloch first arrived, he inherited a program facing serious challenges both on and off the field. We had players, linemen included, who couldn’t even lift 135 pounds. Yet, the School Board and the community expected this team to compete at a 4A football level. “But the challenges went far deeper than football. Many of these young men were battling things most adults couldn’t imagine: gang tensions, fights, shootings, and divided loyalties that made it hard for them to even play as one team. Some players refused to block or play for one another simply because of conflicts from the streets. Coach Kinloch didn’t turn his back; he stepped in to rebuild their trust, their discipline, and their belief in each other. Then came a new rule from the athletic department: if players didn’t maintain a 75% overall average, they couldn’t play, and grades were checked every Thursday before game day. It was unheard of. But instead of complaining, Coach Kinloch created a tutoring system, bringing teachers and coaches together to give up their free time to help players not just stay eligible, but succeed academically. The result? A 100% graduation rate since Coach Kinloch became head coach. “Year two began with a major gang fight just before the first game, costing the team five to six key players for the entire season. In the following days, some players’ homes were shot up, and once again, it was Coach Kinloch and his staff stepping in not just as coaches, but as peacemakers and mentors. They kept the team together and kept teaching these young men that there’s a better way to deal with life’s struggles.
“Year three opened with heartbreak: one of our players was shot seven times. The team was devastated. The district provided no counseling or mental health support; it was Coach Kinloch and his staff who became the emotional backbone for these kids—listening, supporting, and guiding them through their pain. “Despite losing key seniors to transfers and battling low numbers—only 30 players competing on a 4A schedule—Coach Kinloch still found ways to keep his team growing. He organized an in-house team camp, where players and coaches lived, learned, and bonded together for three days. It wasn’t just football; it was about building character, teamwork, and manhood. For the first time, the team made it through camp without fighting or gang-related incidents. That’s real progress. “And while we’re asking these kids to compete with schools twice our size and resources, we also expect them to do so on one of the worst fields in the state, many visiting teams have called unsafe. Yet, through it all, this coaching staff keeps showing up, keeps believing, and keeps giving these kids a chance to be more than their circumstances. ‘The Bigger Picture’ “We’ve all seen the comments online, but let’s be honest; any other coach might have given up on these kids. Coach Kinloch didn’t. He chose to invest in them as students, as athletes, and as young men. We must stop comparing these young players to the Bulldogs or Cougars of the early 2000s. These are different times and different kids. Today’s youth face new struggles, they’re more isolated, more emotional, and many have endured trauma that requires real professional counseling and care. “Football isn’t just a game for them; it’s a lifeline. Being the Head Coach of Colleton County [High School] is not an easy job. You’re dealing with gang violence, a divided community, and leadership that doesn’t always understand what it takes to build a successful program from the ground up. Turning a culture around takes time, at least 4 to 5 years, and the progress is already visible under Coach Kinloch’s leadership.”
