RUSSELLVILLE – The news conference backdrop that Logan County High School administrators set up at the new career and technical center wasn’t used.

John Tinsley didn’t have time to sit. He instead grabbed a microphone and paced in front of his new team to usher in a new era of boys’ basketball at Logan County.

Logan County officially introduced Tinsley as the new boys’ basketball coach Wednesday, marking the fourth Region 4 school where he’s been the head coach.

“Just tells you I’ve been around a long time,” Tinsley said. “It’s a really good opportunity. Logan County is progressing all the way around the school system. Everything is on a positive uptick and we want to be a part of doing something positive for the community.”

Tinsley replaces Lonnie Mason, who stepped down in March after six seasons with a 63-92 record.

“Very excited that coach Tinsley is going to be our next basketball coach,” Logan County athletic director Greg Howard said. “Very knowledgeable in the game of basketball and great in relationships and I think it’s going to be fantastic.”

Tinsley has previous stops at Russell County, Glasgow, Barren County and Hancock County in 19 years as a head coach. He last coached for two seasons at Russell County from 2014-16, going 16-10 and 20-9.

He also had stops at Glasgow and Barren County, where he won a Region 4 championship with the Trojans in 1999.

Since leaving Russell County, Tinsley has worked as a scout for Free Agency Basketball based in Barcelona, Spain, which works out prospects with purposes of signing them to professional teams overseas.

Most of that time, Tinsley said, has been spent traveling between Orlando, Fla., Dallas and Las Vegas. The administration and rising tide of athletics at Logan County helped convince him to get back in Region 4.

His son, Trey, will join his staff as the junior varsity coach.

“We’re going to give ourselves an opportunity to win and we’re really excited,” Tinsley said. “Administrative team, from the superintendent all the way to the AD, they’re all in place. They’re good guys to work for and without that you don’t have a chance. Those guys are tremendous leaders and they were the difference maker for me.”

Logan County graduates five seniors from the 2017-18 team but returns two players that averaged double-digit scoring in Kelby Epley (12.8 points per game) and Tommy Krohn (10.4 ppg). The Cougars went 15-14 last season with a first-round loss in the District 13 tournament.

Logan County has won the district just once (2015) since at least 1999.

“Everything is a clean slate,” Tinsley said. “I’m excited about all these kids. We’re going to have some sessions and work hard and have regular summer basketball like everyone else and build this from the ground up.”{&end}