<p>The work commute is about to get significantly shorter for Kevin Hutchins.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>“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.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>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 .</p><p>Hutchins was also a head coach at nearby Mooresville, finishing with records of 5-6 and 3-7 in 2010 and 2011.</p><p>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.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>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.</p><p>The belly offense is similar in style to the wing-T offense Moore uses at Center Grove. Hutchins looks forward to the challenges ahead.</p><p>“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.”</p>
