Hunkins resigns as Woodcreek football coach

The most successful coach in Woodcreek football history has resigned. Brad Hunkins, 37, told his players Tuesday he will no longer be the head football coach, ending his 10-year ride as the leader of the program, the first four years as co-head coach with Kyle Stowers and the last six by himself. "I've been here for 10 years and I've raised the standard quite a bit," Hunkins said. "I don't know if tired is the right word, or burnt out, but it's just time. Ten years is a long time at one spot. There are only a handful of the top coaches who have coached longer than 10 years at one school. My son, Landon, is 9 and he was born 10 days after I took the job. All he knows is Woodcreek football. Being a head football coach is a 12-month job and your mind never stops. I enjoyed my family this weekend. All I'm thinking about now is Christmas. It's just time and I needed to get out." Woodcreek administration released this statement about Hunkins' resignation: "We want to inform you that we have accepted the resignation of head football coach Brad Hunkins. We are deeply grateful for the dedication Coach Hunkins has shown to our football program. Throughout his tenure, he has made a positive and lasting impact on many players, helping shape both their athletic and personal growth. As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering an environment that supports athletic excellence, personal growth, and teamwork. We will immediately begin the process of identifying new leadership for our football program and will keep the community informed as we move forward. We thank Coach Hunkins for his contributions and wish him the very best." Hunkins led the Timberwolves to a 56-49 record over 10 years, including a 5-4 record in five postseason berths. The Timberwolves' best seasons were 2022 and 2023. Woodcreek won 10 games and reached the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals in 2022 and won 11 games and reached the section championship game in a loss to Grant in 2023. "When I first got here, 5-5 was the best we could do," Hunkins said. "We were in the Sierra Foothill League playing against the Jonah Williams' and the Ian Book's. We didn't have anyone like that. That made me a better coach. "Then we moved to the Capital Valley Conference and did better there. It was great to see us have some success and see the growth of the program. "I'm the first coach to walk away with a winning record, home playoff games, section playoff games and a trip to the section finals. I'm sure Woodcreek will hire an amazing coach that will keep the expectations of our administration rolling." Hunkins thanked all the families for their support, as well as the support of his loyal coaches. He said he'd still like to coach again, but it would have to be the perfect situation. "I'd still like to coach, but I've got jobs as a dad and a husband that are more important," Hunkins said. "Right now, I feel like all this weight has been lifted off of me. Coaching is a 12-month job and it's getting harder and harder to do because of the expectations that are placed on high school athletics. It's all about where am I getting my scholarship from, but that isn't the whole purpose of high school athletics. They are an extension of the classroom; you're teaching kids to work together. Everyone focuses on wins, but did we get better? Did we improve?" Hunkins is proud of what he's accomplished at Woodcreek, and said he hopes the next coach does even better. "We still haven't won a league title at the school," Hunkins said, "but I've grown the numbers and people want to come to games now and not leave at halftime." Hunkins will still work at Woodcreek, where he's teaching strength and conditioning and sports medicine. Hunkins and his wife, Justine, have two boys, Landon, 9 and Carson, 7.