Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun
Bishop Gorman High freshmen football coaches Adam Hutchins, right, and Rod Burgman share a laugh Monday during the Gaels’ varsity team’s practice in preparation for Saturday’s state semifinals against host Reed High of Sparks.
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
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Adam Hutchins has always had to compensate for his disability.
When the other football coaches at Bishop Gorman High instruct their players by showing them the proper technique or by giving an example of how a play should look, Hutchins, a paraplegic, isn’t able to do so.
He has been in a wheelchair the last 15 years after shattering the F-12 vertebrae in his back in a motorcycle accident.
While his physical limitations are obvious, they don’t slow him down, especially when it comes to coaching his son, Gorman sophomore linebacker Zach Hutchins.
Gorman will play in the state semifinals on Saturday against host Reed High in Sparks, and Hutchins will proudly be on the sideline watching the athletes he’s spent numerous hours working with. Hutchins, 44, coaches the Gaels’ freshmen linebackers and was fixture in the weight room during offseason workouts.
His dedication has earned him respect in Gorman’s program. He’s known for logging the hours to find ways to succeed — whether that is teaching a ninth-grade linebacker what to do in pass coverage or helping the varsity coaching staff scheme for their biggest game of the season against Reed.
“I teach the kids that there are no shortcuts in this game and that hard work is the only way to get there,” Hutchins said.
Hutchins, a Gorman graduate who played on two state championship teams, has the pedigree to be a good coach.
The middle linebacker captained the 1982 state title team during his senior season and was named the state player of the year.
He went on to play at UCLA for four seasons and was part of two Rose Bowl and one Fiesta Bowl championship teams.
The storied career is documented with several pictures and trophies prominently displayed throughout the family’s Centennial Hills home.
Father and son would like nothing more than to add a photo of the two holding this year’s state championship trophy to the collection. For both, this experience has been made more meaningful because they are going through the trials and tribulations of the season together.
Sophomore linebacker Zach Hutchins listens to his father, freshmen linebacker coach Adam Hutchins, talk about football during practice Monday afternoon at Bishop Gorman High School.
Hutchins’ accident occurred when Zach was 18 months old. Still, he made sure to be active in raising his son and has coached him in virtually every sport.
“He really knows what he is talking about out here,” Zach Hutchins said. “He has always been a perfectionist when coaching.”
Zach Hutchins injured his pelvic bone Oct. 29 against Clark and isn’t expected to return for this weekend’s game. The injury was an eye-opener for the younger Hutchins.
He needed crutches to walk for almost a week and got a small taste of the daily struggles his father faces. It gave him a better appreciation of his father's sacrifices.
“Some days it’s a struggle for him to get out of bed, but that never slows him down,” Zach Hutchins said. “He is just amazing.”
Adam Hutchins’ accident occurred at the sand dunes in Southern Utah. He was instantly paralyzed.
First came the pain of dealing with the injury. Then came the feeling of anger and depression.
He admits the cycle of emotions nearly got the best of him.
“Those were some tough days,” he said. “But football gave me the tools to help me get my life back on track. I fell apart. But then I looked over and saw my little guy and knew I had to find the strength.”
He started coaching his son’s T-ball team in Little League and hasn’t stopped being involved.
Hutchins showed up everyday for offseason training in Gorman’s weight room, making a good first impression on new coach Tony Sanchez.
Sanchez had just moved to Las Vegas from Northern California and was overwhelmed by Hutchins’ dedication.
“He was there every single day asking if there was something he could do to help,” Sanchez said. “After about a month, I told one of the other coaches we need this guy in our program. …We talk to the kids about having no excuses. He is a perfect example of finding a way.”
Hutchins knows first-hand what Gorman (13-0) will be facing this weekend against Northern Nevada’s Reed.
His 1982 team beat host Wooster High of Reno in the state championship game, conquering some of the same obstacles that stand in front of this year’s team. His team overcame travel, cold weather and a hostile crowd to remain undefeated.
Sound familiar?
“Some of my best friends are guys I played football with,” Hutchins said. “This team is the same way. They are playing for each other and after the same goal.”
Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].
