Football: Headed for Rutgers, Hinson impacted Timber Creek on and off field - NJ.com

Attend a Timber Creek football game and the stands are usually packed, fans leaning against the fence that surrounds the stadium.

Then, right before the national anthem, public address announcer Garry Saunders would start by saying ...

"Welcome to Timber Creek High School ... The house than Hinson built."

One of the state's most successful high school coaches over the last decade, Rob Hinson developed Timber Creek into a South Jersey powerhouse. His teams won four sectional titles, reached seven title games, captured seven conference championships and qualified for the playoffs 12 times.

He's now set to add something new to an already impressive resume.

As part of the rebuilding process under head coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers, Hinson has stepped down after 14 seasons to become Player Personnel Assistant for the Scarlet Knights.

"I'm pretty excited for the opportunity to go on to Rutgers," said Hinson, who compiled a 114-43 career record at Timber Creek. "Achieving that dream of being blessed with the opportunity, there was a little collateral damage with leaving my guys. We're a super-tight group over here and it was tough telling them that I wouldn't be a part of things moving forward.

"I hope people realize the impact we've made outside of football. We won a lot of games, and that's great. We won a few titles, and that's great, too. But we've also had a really strong legacy of guys who have gone on to school after football. We've had guys in the military, law enforcement, doctors, lawyers. That's what I really want people to remember. ... Playing for me, there was something higher than just high school football."

After going 5-5 in one season at Salem, Hinson took over at Timber Creek in 2006 and went right to work. The Chargers finished 4-6 in his debut and would have just one losing season over the next 13 years.

“Rob is a tremendous leader of young men and we are excited to have him join the Rutgers football family,” Schiano said in a statement. “Rob and I have known each other for over a decade and his love for teaching and developing his players has always been evident. I look forward to having him in the program and preparing our players for life on and off the field.”

The Chargers finished 7-4 this past season, reaching the South Jersey, Group 3 semifinals.

“It’s great to see a South Jersey coach have an opportunity like this,” Vineland coach Dan Russo said. “He did a great job at Timber Creek. It was always a difficult matchup for us. His teams were well-coached and played fast.”

ROB HINSON: YEAR-BY-YEAR AT TIMBER CREEK

• 2006: 4-6
• 2007: 6-4
• 2008: 5-5
• 2009: 9-3
• 2010: 5-5
• 2011: 12-0; SJ Group 3 champion
• 2012: 10-2; SJ Group 4 champion
• 2013: 10-2
• 2014: 11-1
• 2015: 9-3; SJ Group 4 champion
• 2016: 12-0; SJ Group 4 champion
• 2017: 10-1
• 2018: 4-7
• 2019: 7-4
• Career record: 114-43 (119-48 overall)

Hinson’s teams won three South Jersey, Group 4 titles - 2012, 2015 and 2016. They would also reach the title game in 2013 and 2014, falling to Shawnee each time.

The Chargers captured the South Jersey, Group 3 crown in 2011 and played in the 2009 final.

"Rob was well respected as a leader, coach and mentor. His teams were always well-prepared and disciplined," Hammonton coach Jim Raso said. "Some of our best regular-season and postseason battles came against his teams. He will be missed and we wish him the best of luck."

Hinson's 2011 and 2016 teams went a perfect 12-0.

"What he was able to accomplish was pretty amazing," said Highland coach Brian Leary, whose nephew, Devin Leary, was an All-State quarterback under Hinson. "He had an amazing run and had some great players who were able to go and play at the college level.

"Being an in-district rival, they were special games. You always knew the kids would rise to the occasion in those games and their kids would be disciplined and ready to play. You had to bring your 'A' game."

Inducted into the South Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018, Hinson's impact has been felt at the national level. He served as head coach for USA Football's U-19 team and was the defensive coordinator for two seasons - U-19 (2018) and U-18 (2019).

Hinson is also a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2016.

“Teachers in the building have been really supportive and say that I’ll be missed,” Hinson said. “I’m pretty happy that they aren’t just referring to football.”

Kevin Minnick focuses on South Jersey and can be reached at kminnick@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

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Football: Headed for Rutgers, Hinson impacted Timber Creek on and off field - NJ.com
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