Vinston Thorpe Tasked With Rebuilding East Columbus Football

The 32-year-old coach embraces the challenge of turning around a struggling high school program.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:38pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a high school football game, with sharp geometric shapes in deep red, navy, and green tones.A new coach aims to reshape the future of a long-struggling high school football program through an adaptive, detail-oriented approach.Red Springs Today

Vinston Thorpe, a 32-year-old coach with experience at several North Carolina high schools, has been hired as the new head football coach of East Columbus High School. East Columbus has not had a winning season since 2012, going just 58-182 over the past 18 years. Thorpe is embracing the challenge of rebuilding the program from the ground up, drawing on the lessons he's learned from working under successful coaches like George Small, Lawerence Ches, Jay Wilson, and Ryan Gieselman. Thorpe plans to implement an adaptive, air raid-style offense and multiple defensive looks to get the most out of his players, who he describes as 'gritty and hungry athletes.'

Why it matters

East Columbus High School's football program has struggled mightily for nearly two decades, failing to post a winning season since 2012. The hiring of the 32-year-old Vinston Thorpe represents a fresh start and an opportunity to rebuild the program from the foundation up, drawing on his experience working under successful coaches at other North Carolina high schools.

The details

Thorpe, a graduate of E.E. Smith High School, played college football at Mount San Jacinto Junior College and UNC Pembroke before spending time professionally with several minor league teams. His coaching journey has included stints at Hoke County, Red Springs, Greene Central, and Kinston, where he was part of a memorable run to the state championship game this past season. Thorpe credits his development to the mentors he's had, including former NFL player George Small, Lawerence Ches, Jay Wilson, and Ryan Gieselman. He also cites his work with the 7-on-7 program Team Copper, led by former NFL receiver Terrance Copper, as crucial to his growth as a coach.

  • Thorpe was hired as the new head football coach of East Columbus High School in April 2026.
  • East Columbus has not had a winning season since 2012.

The players

Vinston Thorpe

The 32-year-old new head football coach of East Columbus High School, tasked with rebuilding the struggling program.

George Small

Former NFL player who Thorpe worked under at Hoke County, from whom he learned the importance of attention to detail.

Lawerence Ches

Head coach at Red Springs, where Thorpe learned what it takes to build a winning program.

Jay Wilson

Head coach at Greene Central, where Thorpe saw how relationships are crucial to driving a program's success.

Ryan Gieselman

Head coach at Kinston, where Thorpe was part of a memorable run to the state championship game and learned the importance of adaptability.

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What they’re saying

“Man, I'm super excited for the opportunity. I think it's a great blessing to have the opportunity at 32 years old to lead a high school football program in the state of North Carolina. And I think it's an even greater opportunity to lead a program from the foundation up and build something special.”

— Vinston Thorpe, Head Coach, East Columbus High School

“Always be versatile no matter who you're playing. Being able to adapt to each opponent, understand what they were good at, what they were bad at, and where we could attack.”

— Vinston Thorpe, Head Coach, East Columbus High School

“Terrance is an amazing football mind, but also an amazing man. To learn the nuances of passing the football, crafting athletes, and being a great leader, it was exceptional to my growth.”

— Vinston Thorpe, Head Coach, East Columbus High School

What’s next

Thorpe will look to quickly establish a winning culture and foundation at East Columbus, with the goal of ending the program's long drought of losing seasons and playoff appearances.

The takeaway

Vinston Thorpe's hiring as the new head football coach of East Columbus High School represents a fresh start for a struggling program that has not had a winning season in over a decade. Thorpe's diverse coaching experience and adaptable approach give him a strong foundation to rebuild the East Columbus football program from the ground up.