Without a top tier coach who knows mostly everything in their field, talented teams can find it hard to succeed.That’s what the NFHS NSAA State Coaches of the Year award was created for. One of these 23 coaches who obtained this honor happens to teach at GHS, Chace Hutchison, Girls Varsity soccer coach.
Despite it being Coach Hutchison’s first year of coaching soccer at GHS, he still managed to lead his team to a 21-0 season with a state championship to top it all off. Hutchison went above and beyond after filling the role of former head coach Digger Hawkins, who also led his group of girls to a 21-1 season with a state championship.
“Taking over a program with a talented roster,” Hutchinson said. “I felt some pressure of needing to win right away.”
The award is up for grabs for any coach throughout the state of Nebraska, from unified bowling all the way to basketball. Any coach of any sport is certified to receive it. All of the 23 winning coaches will be honored during halftime of the Class A Girls State Basketball Semifinal game on Friday, March 3, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
“I am excited for him (Hutchison) to have received coach of the year,” sophomore Karli Williams said. “He works very hard for our team in every way possible, he is very deserving of this award.”
Even though the big spotlight for this award is on Mr. Hutchison, the team around him had a major role in this accomplishment as well. In order to connect well and execute a coach’s orders, a humbled, disciplined team goes a long way.
“I’m extremely excited that I won this award especially as a first year coach,” Hutchison said. “To win this award you have to have a winning team, and I couldn’t have done this without my team.”