NATCHEZ — With a bachelor’s degree in teaching and a master’s degree in athletic administration, Vidalia High School alumnus Brett Hinson had always wanted to put his degrees to use.

That opportunity finally came for Hinson, who was recently hired by Cathedral High School to coach quarterbacks on the football team and also act as an assistant baseball coach. He will teach at the school as well.

Hinson, who has been a volunteer assistant football and baseball coach at Vidalia High School the past two season, said he was ready to move into a full-time role as an educator and coach.

“I worked at a bank for the past two years, and I was ready to put all that school to use,” Hinson said.

Green Wave football coach Ron Rushing said he was excited to have Hinson on board as an assistant. In addition to coaching quarterbacks, he’ll also assist with play-calling duties on Friday nights.

“As a coach, you want to surround yourself with good people, and he’s a high-character guy and a good coach,” Rushing said. “The times I’ve seen him at Vidalia, I saw that he was a high-discipline and high-intensity guy.”

Hinson said he was happy to begin working at Cathedral and that he always respected the Green Wave program.

“I’ve known (athletic director) Craig (Beesley) a long time, and I’ve known Ron a little while,” Hinson said. “Craig has run a great program in baseball even from back when I played against him (at Vidalia). Ron has a great reputation, and the program and record speaks for itself. Kids respect him.”

Rushing said in Hinson’s short time coaching, he made a name for himself around the area.

“He really impressed me from watching him the past few years,” Rushing said. “You could go around and ask people about him, and when they speak highly of him, it kind of confirms what you’re thinking. He’s going to be a highly successful coach.”

Hinson said his main philosophy on coaching quarterbacks is making sure they have confidence in the pocket.

“The main thing I tell them is to just trust your decisions and don’t second-guess yourself on reads,” Hinson said. “When you second-guess yourself and mess up, that’s when it starts spiraling (out of control).”

In baseball, Hinson said he will likely spend a lot of time working with the Green Wave pitchers.