Kenneth Tinsley was named Columbia’s running backs coach in December 2023 after spending two years in the same role at Georgetown.
In his first season with the Lions, he was part of the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year, which helped Columbia secure its first conference title since 1961. Senior Joey Giorgi picked up second-team All-Ivy League honors and was the conference’s second-leading rusher with 860 yards. As a team, the Lions averaged 4.6 yards per carry, setting a new program record and ranking second in the Ancient Eight with 1,886 yards on the ground.
In 2023, the Hoyas averaged 144.3 rushing yards per game, which was an improvement of over 60 yards per game from the previous season, and Joshua Stakely was named second team All-Patriot League.
The Washington, D.C., native spent a season with the University of Maine as the running backs coach, guiding Freddie Brock to a 5.45 yards per carry for third-best in the CAA and 33rd in FCS. Prior to his time at Maine, Tinsley served assistant coaching stints at Union College, American International College, Morrisville State College and Bates College.
Tinsley spent the three seasons at Union where he played a key part in the offensive game planning and assisted in wide receiver development. In 2019, he helped guide Union to an undefeated regular season and an 11-1 mark overall. He mentored wide receiver Andre Ross Jr. to a 2018 Rookie of the Year honor and two All-Liberty League First Team selections.
The D.C. native started his coaching career at Eastern Senior High School in Northeast D.C. in 2013 as the assistant offensive coordinator and assistant head strength and conditioning coach.
Before jumping into the coaching side, Tinsley played three seasons at tight end for Central State University. While at CSU, Tinsley played for five-time Pro Bowl honoree and New England Patriots Hall of Fame tight end Ben Coates.
Tinsley graduated from CSU in 2013 with a degree in business administration management before going on to earn his master’s in business administration from American International College in 2019.
