He Repays Favor at Capistrano Valley

If you spent your high school years in the late 1970s, early ‘80s, you know what it’s like to cringe at a generational flashback or two. Farrah Fawcett haircuts. Angel Flight pants. The thomp-thomp-thomp of the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack . . .

Go ahead and gag. There’s no reason not to. This was, after all, the Pet Rock era--ridiculous and forgettable.

Which is why you have to wonder about Harry Hutcheson, Capistrano Valley girls’ soccer coach. Hutcheson, 29, a walk-on, graduated from Capo Valley in 1981. He spent eight years as the boys’ soccer assistant before taking over the girls’ program last fall. He wants to remain a Cougar coach for life, maybe longer.

Now some might see this as pure dedication. A be-true-to-your-school type of commitment. But think about it. Working for your old high school? For Hutcheson, the flashbacks have got to be fierce.

You step on campus and the “Mork and Mindy” theme song invades your brain. You flash back to the prom--and your baby blue tux. The principal waves you over and you break into a cold sweat. Why would anyone put himself through it?

For Hutcheson, it’s simple. Capistrano Valley, he says, gave him direction when he had none. And now, with the girls’ soccer program, he would like to repay the favor.

Hutcheson was an All-Southern Section goalkeeper for Capo Valley in 1981. After high school, he hoped to return to his native Scotland to try out for a club team. Instead, he broke a wrist and injured a knee in an auto accident, leaving him depressed and unable to play.

He spent the next three years searching for something to do. He worked as a delivery driver and as a bouncer at an Irish bar. He spent summers playing bugle for the Velvet Knights, a traveling marching band. He thought about teaching music.

But when he turned 21, Hutcheson knew what he wanted. He asked his old high school soccer coach, Ron Willms, to give him a chance at coaching. Willms--who gave Hutcheson an “F” once in creative writing, who pulled his hair out over Hutcheson’s cockiness as a player--invited Hutcheson on his staff. The former goalkeeper didn’t disappoint.

Hutcheson quickly became Willms’ right-hand man, dedicating himself to everything from grade checks to equipment ordering to making sure the referees had their pay at the end of the game. It got to the point where Willms would say, “Hey, could you . . .?” and Hutcheson would answer “I just did.”

It wasn’t easy for either of them to part as coaches. But when the girls’ job opened up last year, Hutcheson knew it was his chance. He’d been working on a teaching credential, and he wanted to run a program of his own.

Like many high schools, Capo Valley is short on teaching positions for coaches of non-revenue sports. Walk-on coaches tend to come and go, especially in girls’ soccer. The Cougars have had four coaches in the last four years. Hutcheson intends to change that.

“My wish is to be the first on-campus coach these girls have had,” said Hutcheson, who begins his student teaching at Capo Valley next semester. “I want to create a ‘program’ atmosphere at this school.”

His players--only four of whom are seniors--say he already has. When Hutcheson talks about the future, they have no doubt he’ll be a part of it.

“He works hard for the JV and frosh-soph, not just the varsity,” junior Kim Thompson says. “He’s the first coach who stated that he wanted to be here for the future. That’s good to hear. It’s like peace of mind.”

Not that it’s all been peaceful. Hutcheson is a disciplinarian, the girls say. Receive a yellow or red penalty card during a game, and you’ll be running hills the next day. Conditioning is a must. As is listening when the moment matters. And academics? Hutcheson, a so-so student in high school who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history at Cal State Fullerton, insists his players do their best. He has been known to lend college textbooks to help them with special projects. He requires lunch-time study halls, which he oversees, for those who need a bit of extra help.

“I learned a lot about life here at Capo,” Hutcheson says. “I want to give something back.”

His players appreciate his caring as much as his offbeat sense of humor. He always knows how to get a laugh, they say, when the moment gets too serious, even if it’s at the expense of his considerably large girth. Some were intimidated by him at first, but now they feel comfortable when speaking out.

Hutcheson always listens, they say, even if their ideas are dumb. And they, too, grant him the same.

Even if he speaks from a flashback.