The DCHS Tigers will bring a new offensive coach onto the staff for the 2017 season.

Justin Burum, originally from East Tennessee, will take the job. Burum told the Review that he played college ball, and then went into coaching.

"I went to Oak Ridge High School, and finished up there in ’03," he shared. "I spent two years in junior college in Minnesota, and got a scholarship to go to Tiffin. I was there for a semester and my offensive coordinator got a head coaching job at Urbana, and I went there with him. I started three out of four years in college. I was All-Region and All-Academic. I played d-line in high school, but switched to o-line in college."

He said he is enjoying his time as a tiger coach already.

"I like it," Burum exclaimed. "I’ve got some guys who work hard, I’ve got some guys who stood out. I like being here. You guys have a great tradition, a great atmosphere. It’s great to be a part of a program where the boys want to do right. These boys want to work, and they always want to put their best foot forward.

He will be concentrating on offense in DeKalb County as well.

"Working with these guys in DeKalb County I’m doing receivers," he said. "I’ve coached offensive line for the last six years. I was at Lavergne High School from 2011-2016, then I was offensive coordinator at Lancaster Christian Academy. Here I’ll be working with the receivers."

He said the Tiger receiving squad will do what it takes to win games this year.

"I really like this group," he shared. "These guys really know how to get off the ball. When the ball’s in the air they want to go get it. We have a couple of young guys who are going to be really good when it’s all said and done, and a couple of leaders in Paxton Butler and Bradley Miller. Those guys know how to get after it and set the tone, so I really like working with them.

Burum will be teaching at DCHS in addition to his coaching duties.

"I’ll be teaching some special education and probably algebra. I have always taught that, and I’ve always had a case load, so that’s in my wheelhouse. I won’t have a problem with that."

He said the Tigers under his charge will not be learning alone.

"These guys are going to teach me a few things," the coach admitted. "I hope we can get a little nasty and bring some grit and attitude to the field this year, and get out there and fight to get the job done.

Tommy Hinch, a Crossville native, will take over the Tiger defense.

"I love it here," Hinch told the Review. "For the brief time, as far as the big picture goes, that I’ve been here I’ve really enjoyed my time in DeKalb County. I’ve been here since March, so I haven’t had a chance to get into the school and experience the school culture yet, but I’m sure it’ll be great, just like the culture surrounding the football team. I think it will be an easy transition."

He said that he looks forward to working with the DCHS coaching staff.

"I’m excited to be here. I really look forward to working with Coach Trapp," Hinch shared. "Of course, Coach Trapp is one of the reasons I wanted to come here. Our philosophies are very similar. I’m excited to have the opportunity to build this program with him."

Originally from Cumberland County, Hinch first planned to break into coaching women’s basketball.

"I was born and raised in Crossville," he said. "I played at Cumberland County, and then went to Tennessee Tech. I worked with student interns in football and basketball. Then I had the opportunity to go chase what I thought my dream was, women’s basketball. I soon realized there were not a lot of opportunities in the field. I had a coach talk to me about subbing at a school in Crossville. I got the opportunity to come in and get my feet wet, and I was asked to come in and help coach. I was at Stone Memorial helping them build that program for three years. It a process. I learned a lot."

He then took a break and regrouped.

"My dad was sick, so I took some time off and went back and got my teaching license," he revealed. "Then I got an opportunity to go work in inner city Chattanooga, and then I went to Sweetwater. I coached there for two years, and I met some great people there."

Hinch eventually found his way home to Middle Tennessee.

"I wanted to get back home to the Middle Tennessee area, so I came to Lebanon. My wife was still in Cookeville, so I was closer to home. It was a tough year, and though the season didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but I learned a lot working with those guys. Then I got the opportunity to come here. I’ve co-coordinated in the past, but I never had the chance to run the whole show. That’s what I’ll be doing this year, and hopefully in the years to come, at DeKalb County."