November 19, 2024
Mount Dora High Football Coach Luke Hutchinson Named FHSAA Class 3A Coach Of The Year
By Kyle Coppola
Mount Dora High Football Coach Luke Hutchinson Named FHSAA Class 3A Coach Of The Year
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — In just three seasons at the helm, Coach Luke Hutchinson has turned around the Mount Dora High School Hurricanes football program, earning him the prestigious title of Lake & Sumter Style Magazine’s Class 3A FHSAA Coach of the Year.
Hutchinson’s leadership culminated in a historic 2024 season, with the Hurricanes finishing 8-3 and making their first playoff appearance since the COVID-19 season — a year when every team was guaranteed a spot but the first true playoff apperance that was earned since the 2014 season. The team’s playoff run ended in the regional quarterfinals with a 28-7 loss to Dunnellon, but the Hurricanes’ resurgence electrified the community.
(Coach Luke Hutchinson has built the Mount Dora High program up the past few years and the program had an amazing year in 2024. Photo Credit – Joe Ott.)
The 8-3 record marked Mount Dora High’s best performance since 2014, when the team posted a 9-3 finish. Hutchinson’s steady improvement has been evident since he took over in 2022, with the team recording six wins in his first season, seven in his second, and eight in 2024. This progress is a dramatic leap from the program’s average of four wins per season from 2015 to 2022.
“It’s always been about constant and never ending improvement and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team,” Hutchinson said. “Getting Mount Dora back to the playoffs after such a long drought is a testament to the hard work of our players, staff, and community support. Where our program is now compared to three years ago is a testament to the players, all the coaches, the administration and community.”
Coach Hutchinson went on to say “After out loss to Dunnellon, we talked as a team and they all know how proud I am of our program but we have business left unfinished. We were 14 points away from an undefeated regular season and just making the playoffs isn’t the goal it’s the expectaiton. Our goal is to make deep playoff runs. That is what will separate our program from the others and that is what we will spend our offseason working towards.” says coach Hutchinson.
This season’s success was powered by standout performances from key players, including senior wide receiver Tanner Waring, who recorded 596 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Fellow senior Zyshonne Perry added 454 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while senior quarterback Jake Sepe racked up 1,593 total yards and 18 touchdowns. Lets not forget about junior running back Tymir Gaines who had well over 2,000 all-purpose yards and scored 26 touchdowns.
(Head coach Luke Hutchinson gets his team prepared against Bishop Moore. Photo Credit – Joe Ott)
While the departure of the seniors will leave a void, Hutchinson remains optimistic. “Every season brings new challenges, but that’s what makes coaching exciting. I believe in this program and the talent we’re developing,” he said.
Hutchinson’s achievements extend beyond the wins and losses. He has revitalized the Hurricanes, instilling a culture of hard work and perseverance that promises to sustain the program’s success in the years to come.
When you see the staff that coach Hutchinson has put together with coach Charles Cerney and Sean Markham you can see why it’s such a well coached program.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
