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WELLSBURG -- After seven seasons as an assistant coach, Adam Shinsky simply had an itch to try to become a head basketball coach.
The Bishop Donahue and Ohio University graduate will get his chance at Brooke High School this winter.
Shinsky was formally hired as the new Bruins head coach during Thursday evening's Brooke County Board of Education meeting. He will take over the reins after Mel Coleman, who died in July, spent two seasons at the helm.
"I've always wanted to be a head coach, but it was in the last few years where I really started to think about wanting to run my own program," Shinsky said. "I am grateful for the Brooke administration and Board of Education for giving me this opportunity."
When Shinsky learned of Coleman's passing in July, applying for this job wasn't immediately on his radar. Obviously, living and working at the YMCA in Wheeling was a factor, but also out of respect for Coleman.
"I had gotten to know Mel and just didn't have any intentions of applying for the job, but then it got posted and I really gave it some more thought," Shinsky said.
Actually, after traveling to Follansbee for a pinto baseball tournament that his son was playing in when he realized that the commute wouldn't be that difficult.
"I thought it's about 25 minutes to get there, so it's not a long drive," Shinsky said. "I had coached in freshmen games up there, we had scrimmaged up there and I've always been amazed by the facility and the athletic staff is great, so I decided to apply."
Shinsky comes to Brooke after spending the last seven seasons at Wheeling Central under Mel Stephens. Prior to that, he cut his coaching teeth at St. Vincent's in the Wheeling Parochial League.
"I can never compare myself to Coach Stephens," Shinsky said. "He is, hands down, the best coach in the Ohio Valley and I've learned so much from him the last seven years."
Though he will bring some of the ideas and philosophies with him to Brooke, Shinsky admitted that the Bruins won't be -- by any means -- a carbon copy of the Maroon Knights.
"We're going to adapt our coaching and playing style to the players that we have," Shinsky said.
Getting in the job in early September is tough, but since basically no school had anything more than open gyms because of the COVID-19 restrictions, Shinsky doesn't feel too far behind.
"The timing isn't ideal, but it's something that everyone is kind of dealing with," Shinsky said. "We have some flex days that we'll make use of down the road. We'll be behind a little bit, but it's nothing that I am worried about. I am excited to get started."
One of the first things on Shinsky's agenda is meeting his team. He plans to meet with the administration team to begin the process of choosing his coaching staff. He'll also meet with his players shortly after they begin school this week.
The Bruins have struggled the last several seasons. They won just three games last seasons. It's a trend that Shinsky wants changed.
"I've noticed in my short amount of time of being around (Brooke), the tremendous amount of pride up there," Shinsky said. "I saw them play last year through scouting and those kids didn't play like a team that had only won three games. Winning eight or nine games isn't my expectation or the kids. Our goal is to have a winning season and be competing for one of those top four spots in the OVAC 5A Tournament."
Though West Virginia SSAC rules prohibit Shinsky from coaching in it, the Bruins will begin the transition by playing in the inaugural Highlands Sports Complex Fall League.
"I am ready for the challenge that's ahead," Shinsky said. "I believe coaching with an eight-time state champion (Stephens) has helped to prepare me for what's ahead."
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Shinsky, who graduated from Bishop Donahue, played four years at Ohio University Eastern.
Adam and his wife, Amanda, have been married for 11 years. They are the parents of three children -- Roman (7), Mila (5) and Dax (1).