STINNETT

Cannon County High School has filled its coaching vacancies for the 2011-12 year with the naming of Tony Stinnett and Brent Bush as baseball and softball coaches, respectively, according to school officials.

Stinnett will be taking over the coaching duties for baseball and Head Football Coach Joel Schrenk also will be on the staff. Jake Nokes and Adam Sauer will serve as assistant baseball coaches, according to CCHS Principal Tim Knox. The position became vacant when Eddie Cunningham was hired at Riverdale prior to the start of the school year.

"We are excited to have Tony Stinnett not only as a part of our faculty, but also as the baseball coach," Knox said. "Tony comes to us with a lot of baseball experience and was highly recommended from several, including MTSU Baseball Coach Steve Peterson. Tony's passion for baseball will be great for the team and Coach Schrenk's presence, as well as returning coach Jake Nokes and new assistant Adam Sauer creates a strong coaching staff."

Bush, a graduate of Cannon County, will head the softball program with assistance from Dennis Jordan. Bush also will serve as assistant football coach in 2011.

"Having Brent Bush back to Woodbury has been a great asset to our students in the classroom and, as a former Lion and Blue Raider football player, a great asset to the football team," Knox said. "Brent will also be an outstanding coach for our softball program."

Stinnett has coached travel and youth baseball in middle Tennessee for 20 years, taking teams to five national championships and two regionals.

"We are very fortunate to be able to hire Tony Stinnett as our baseball coach here at Cannon County High School," CCHS Director of Athletics Michael Dodgen said. "Tony brings a wealth of knowledge to our athletic program and especially the baseball program. His experience with travel and AAU baseball teams will be a huge plus for our baseball program and the players involved."

Stinnett said he is excited about the prospects of the 2011-12 season.

"I see this is a great opportunity, and I'm excited to be working with the Cannon County baseball program and its players," Stinnett said. "Coach Cunningham did a great job building a base and there is a bright future here. I am very appreciative of Mr. Knox and Mrs. (Barbara) Parker, as well as the Cannon County School Board, for this opportunity. I don't make promises about winning or losing, but I can assure baseball players at Cannon County that they have someone who cares as much about them and their sport in August as I do in April and May. We will have a program in which people of Cannon County can be proud."

Bush comes to CCHS after a 24-year military career. He was a standout football player for the Lions and played three years of college football for legendary coach Boots Donnelly at MTSU.

"Hiring Coach Bush as the head girls softball coach is another great addition to our athletic program and department here at CCHS," Dodgen said. "Coach Bush brings great energy to our softball program and to the community. Being a former athlete here at CCHS, Coach Bush has a great sense of pride about the athletic program and wants to see our sports excel at the highest levels."

Bush initially enlisted in the Tennessee National Guard and later graduated from MTSU and earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery unit and went on active duty status. He is a decorated veteran of Desert Shield/Storm and served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His last combat tour was as a Battalion Commander of the 100th Brigade Support Battalion, the 75th Fires Brigade. His last staff assignment was as the Ordinance Organization Integrator at the Pentagon.

"I decided to retire from the Army about a year ago, and I never thought I would have the opportunity to come back home," Bush said. "I feel fortunate to be back home and have the opportunity to teach and coach."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Stinnett will continue to serve as Co-Editor of The Cannon Courier.