By Bryant Thigpen
Riverbend News
The Hamilton County High School Trojans recently announced the addition of Bobby Hutchinson as the offensive coordinator to the coaching staff. While Hutchinson may be new to the Trojans, he's certainly no stranger to the football field.
During his high school years, Hutchinson played the offensive line position for the Madison County High School Cowboys. Midway during his high school career, Head Coach Randy McPherson left for the same position at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. The next two years, the Cowboys would be led by Head Coach Frankie Carroll. Hutchinson and the Cowboys won the 2001 State Championship and would finish as state runner-up for the 2003-2004 seasons.
Hutchinson graduated from Madison County High School in 2004 and went on to play collegiate football at Clemson University. He would once again experience a coaching change during his career when Tommy Bowden, the coach who recruited him, was replaced by current Head Coach Dabo Swinney.
“Every head coach I played for played a positive impact in my life,” Hutchinson said. “Growing up without a father was very difficult, but having these three men along with my grandfather played an instrumental role in my development as a young man, father and coach.”
Hutchinson graduated from Clemson in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and with a minor in Business Administration, but his love for the game couldn't keep him off the field. The following season, Hutchinson returned home for a season to serve as an offensive line coach for the Cowboys. In 2010, he accepted the position as an entry-level Player Development Coach, working with the offensive line and tight ends. After a brief coaching career at Clemson, Hutchinson came back home and served as an offensive line coach again for the 2012, 2014-15, and 2017 seasons. Hutchinson served as an offensive line coach at Morehouse College in 2016.
It's clear Hutchinson has a love for this sport that keeps drawing him back to the field. But Hutchinson has a greater passion to impact the lives of young athletes. Hutchinson said he desires to work with kids and “impact them the way my coaches impacted me.”
Although he's brand new to the Trojans, Hutchinson said he's had a chance to meet his team members, and he's excited about what the upcoming season holds. “I am excited to be back coaching after a couple of years away from the game,” he said. “My expectations are for the players of Hamilton County to play with a fast, hard, smart mentality and enjoy the game along the way. There will be a learning curve and all players have taken to that with a great, positive attitude.”
Hutchinson will coach his first game as a Trojan on Friday, Aug. 14, when Hamilton County travels to Interlachen to play the Rams.