Head Coach: Scott Tinsley
Coach Tinsley is entering into his second season at WVU Tech after rejoining the Golden Bear staff after departing in 1989 for successful Collegiate (50-38-3) and High School (51-20) coaching stints.
Tinsley brings with him an upgraded version of his spread offense that currently holds numerous National and West Virginia records. Excitement and athleticism are the trademarks of Tinsley’s offense that is sure to thrill Golden Bear fans and light up the score board this season.
Tinsley’s most recent coaching stint was at Nitro High School, where he coached for 12 years, compiling a 51-20 record with the Wildcats and took home a State Championship in 1998.
The St. Albans native began his playing career as the Quarterback for Appalachian State in ’81 & ’82 before and injury sidelined him as a player. From ’83-’88 Coach Tinsley served as an Assistant Coach at Appalachian State before returning for his 1st coaching stint at WVU Tech as an Assistant in ’89. Tinsley then coached for 2 years as the Head Coach at West Virginia State University prior to accepting the Offensive Coordinator position at Nitro High School. Tinsley served as the Offensive Coordinator 6 years before finally accepting the Head Coaching position which he also held for 6 years.
While at Nitro, Tinsley also served as the Women’s Basketball team for 12 years and softball for 7 years.
Assistant Coach: Michael Scott
Michael Scott is entering into his second season as WVU Tech’s Assistant Football Coach Defensive Coordinator. This is his second stint coaching in the collegiate ranks; with his previous four years of experience coming from West Virginia State University where he coached both football and softball. Prior to joining the Golden Bear staff, Coach Scott spent his previous 6 years coaching football under Scott Tinsley at Nitro High School.
Off the field, Coach Scott has served 6 years in active duty in the United States Air Force and also served as a member of the City of Charleston Fire Department for the past 12 years. Michael Scott also attended West Virginia University where he played corner back in 4 consecutive bowl games.
Recently, Coach Scott has spent his off-field time speaking at Pittsburgh’s and Louisville’s Coach of the Year Clinics as well as creating videos and writing a book on the Stand up 3-5 defense.
Assistant Coach: Chris Higginbotham
Chris Higginbotham is entering into his second season as an Assistant Coach for the Golden Bears. Coach Higginbotham’s duties for the 2009 season will include the Receiver’s Coach, Academic Liason and Equipment Manager.
Prior to joining WVU Tech, Coach Higginbotham played for coach Tinsley at Nitro High School where he played Receiver on the ’98 State Championship team. Higginbotham then moved on to play Collegiate football at Fairmont State University before returning to Nitro where he Coached with Coach Tinsley for the past 3 years.
Assistant Coach: John Pennington
John Pennington re-joins the WVU Tech staff for the 2009 season as the teams Strength and Conditioning Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach.
Prior to joining the staff, Pennington played at West Virginia University for 5 years and earned a scholarship in 2004 as a Wide Receiver where he caught 15 balls for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns for his career. Before joining the Golden Bear Coaching staff, Pennington began his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at West Virginia Wesleyan.
