Head boys’ swimming and diving coach Bryan Hutchinson was recently named by the National Federation of High School Coaches as this year’s Coach of the Year. His initial reaction to this award was pure shock.

“Honestly I was a little surprised,” he said. “You need a top ten finish [at State] with your team, and last year we were actually tenth. I thought somebody else would get it, that finished a little higher than us.”

Despite this surprise, this isn’t the first time Hutchinson has received an honor from the NFHSC. He was named Coach of the Year three times prior, twice at the district level and once at the regional level. This is, however, the first time Hutchinson has received the honor at the state level.

This awards are well-deserved. The swim season this year has showcased Hutchinson’s coaching skills: both the boys’ and girls’ swim teams won this year’s district competition, and the girls’ team placed second in the region meet. The team is also sending three swimmers to the state competition.

“I think that the selflessness they show, and them putting the team first, is why we’ve been so successful,” he said. “They’re all extremely hard workers and as a group they work hard and push each other, and it takes the whole program to a different level.”

Despite his consistent accolades, Hutchinson insists that the kids are the real reason for the team’s success.

“Obviously I write the workouts and set the expectations, but really this group is taking ownership of this program and this team,” he said. “I’m just there to help guide them along, and they really deserve all the credit.”

Hutchinson’s favorite thing about coaching, he says, is the relationships he builds with his team.

“My favorite part is definitely getting to deal with those swimmers,” he said. “They’re a great group of kids. It makes me proud to have at least has some influence on them. I like watching them succeed.”

Hutchinson has been coaching for 22 years, and has been involved in swim since he was ten years old. This long history with the sport has given him a unique perspective.

“I always loved the sport, as an athlete,” he said. “But watching those kids reach their goals and win and have the successes they’ve had—it’s just fun to sit back and watch.”

Ultimately, though, Hutchinson hopes his coaching influence reaches beyond the pool.

“Your great swimmers are also great people,” he said. “There’s a lot of great swimmers out there, but to be truly at the top level, you’ve gotta be a good person, too. I think those two things go hand-in-hand.”