The work commute is about to get significantly shorter for Kevin Hutchins.
Hutchins, who coached Monrovia to the 2015 Class 2A state championship, has taken a job as an assistant at Center Grove. He’ll be part of the Trojans’ coaching staff this coming season.
Hutchins and his wife, Sarah, have lived in the Center Grove school district since 2011. The couple has two sons, Payton, an eighth-grader, and Parker, a fifth-grader. Both are offensive linemen for their respective football teams.
“My boys have always gone to Center Grove. Being a head coach, I was starting to miss out on a lot of things they were doing,” said Hutchins, who will be co-offensive line coach for the Trojans with Troy Dice.
“I’m not saying I’ll never be a head coach again, and am not here to change anything. I’m here to learn, and this is a great opportunity. I feel like I’m coaching in my community.”
Hutchins served two separate stints as Monrovia’s head coach (2007-09 and 2012-18). His 2009 squad advanced to Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2A finale before losing a 24-17 decision to perennial power Fort Wayne Luers; more recently, the 2016 Bulldogs lost a semistate game to Ritter by a single point .
Hutchins was also a head coach at nearby Mooresville, finishing with records of 5-6 and 3-7 in 2010 and 2011.
Eric Moore, entering his 21st season as Center Grove’s head coach, feels Hutchins adds to the quality of a coaching staff that rarely experiences turnover.
“We feel we always have a quality football staff, and Kevin is very knowledgeable and an excellent coach,” Moore said. “He’s reliable and has been in charge in big games. I think it’s a great fit that’s going to be a lot of fun for Kevin and his family.”
Early in his career, Hutchins learned the deception-based belly offense from former Indianapolis Howe and Indianapolis Arlington coach Dick Harpold. Hutchins implemented the run-dominated look when he became the head coach at Howe in 2002 and later enjoyed great success with it at Monrovia.
The belly offense is similar in style to the wing-T offense Moore uses at Center Grove. Hutchins looks forward to the challenges ahead.
“I became a head coach at 24, and I had only one year as an assistant coach,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for me to learn from one of the best coaches in the area.”
