BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Danny Hinkle, a 2007 alum and decorated football player, has been hired as the new offensive and defensive line coach at Martin County High School, the school announced.

Hinkle returns to “The Rock” with an impressive resume spanning his high school and collegiate careers.

“One of the best Cardinal linemen I’ve seen play since I’ve been around this program,” Head coach Joshua Muncy said. “Excited to have Danny Hinkle on the staff. He has a lot of knowledge to pass along and give back to these kids.”

As a Sheldon Clark Cardinal from 2003 to 2007, he was a three-year starter on both sides of the line serving as team captain. During his junior and senior seasons, he recorded more than 200 tackles. He handled kicking duties, making multiple field goals and extra points.

His high school accolades include being part of the 2005 WYMT “Hogs of the Year” for the best offensive line in the coverage area and earning Defensive MVP honors in the Hatfield/McCoy All-Star Game. He was also a team captain for both the football and basketball teams in his junior and senior years.

Hinkle continued his football career at UVA-Wise on a full scholarship, where he was a four-year starter on the defensive line and a team captain. His college statistics include 224 tackles, 12 sacks, 31.5 tackles for loss, four pass deflections, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.

He led UVA-Wise in tackles in 2010 with 58, earned Mid-South Conference Honorable Mention in 2010, and was the Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week in 2009. Hinkle also holds the third-most blocked kicks in a single season in UVA-Wise history. In 2010, he started in the College Fanz Senior Bowl, recording a sack.

In 2013, Hinkle was the Defensive MVP of the Football Alumni Bowl, which pitted Sheldon Clark against Belfry.