Family Tradition: Tyus Short Returns To Mercer To Coach Next Generation
The Harrodsburg Herald/Wesley Bird
Tyus Short’s return to Titan football is more like a family reunion. Short has six relatives playing on the team and on the coaching staff this season.
Wesley Bird
Herald Staff
wesley@harrodsburgherald.com
The Mercer County Titans football program added to their family with the addition of alumni Tyus Short to their coaching staff.
Short played four seasons for the Titans from 2013 to 2016 and was a menace on the defensive line. He tallied 279 tackles from his defensive tackle position throughout his Mercer career. Short was pivotal his junior and senior season for the Titans never missing a game and being a leader on and off the field.
Short went on to play college football on a scholarship to the Kentucky State Thoroughbreds. He battled throughout his collegiate football career with multiple season ending injuries. He graduated in 2021 with a degree in computer science.
Short took his first coaching and teaching position with the Washington County Commanders last year. He coached the defensive line and was an assistant coach on the track team while teaching computer science at the Washington County High School. Short’s one season with the Commanders included a trip to the playoffs, where they lost to Lexington Catholic.
Short’s return to Mercer isn’t just a reunion with his alma mater, but a family reunion as well. He has family members though out the team with Mercer Head Coach Craig Yeast, assistant coach D Smith II and Athletic Director Donald Smith on staff along with juniors Myles Haygood and Thaddeus and Kingston Mays.
“It means everything, being able to come back to where it all started and give back to the ones coming after me. That’s what it’s all about,” said Short.
Coach Short returns to a familiar place with some familiar faces beyond family including his old position coach, William Harris.
