For the second consecutive season, the Hughson High football program has been rocked by the death of a member of its coaching staff.
Shane Hughes, who joined the Huskies last season and played a key role in helping the team to the CIF Division 5-AA championship last fall, died in Waterford on June 2. He was 50.
Nearly a year ago, the Hughson football family lost defensive coordinator Keith Parker, also at the age of 50. For the duration of the 2022 season, the Huskies coaches wore a patch on their shirts with the initials KP.
“We’ll do something similar this year; we’ll add a patch with the initials SH,” said Hughson head coach Shaun King. “He was such a great fit for our program.”
Senior-to-be David Delgado, along with Malakai Sumter, Jose Zapien, David Burciago Jr. and (coach) David Burciago Sr. not only played for or worked with Hughes at Hughson, they also played for him as members of the Waterford Sabercats youth team of the Motherlode Valley Football League.
Delgado played safety for the 13-2 Huskies and intercepted six passes during the championship run. He hopes to honor his position coach by making history this year.
“I hope to take the interception record and dedicate it to him,” said Delgado, who would need 10 picks in 2023 to eclipse the single-season mark (9) set by Matthew Gonzales (Class of 2014). “I know Coach will be out there with me every game, making me stronger.”
Making the Huskies stronger — physically as well as mentally — is just one thing Delgado will remember about Hughes.
“He always talked about building mental calluses,” said Delgado, “because football is such a mental game.”
Hughes challenged team members to perform a 60-second isometric plank, and then increase the time by one second each day.
Delgado has designed a T-shirt that features a picture of Hughes — a father of six, grandfather of one, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy — in the familiar plank position.
“On the back of the shirt it says, ‘Coach Shane, the coach who wanted the best out of all of us and nothing less besides us to be winners,’” said Delgado.
Shane Hughes got his wish.
A Celebration of Life for Hughes will be held July 1 at 11 a.m. at the Community Bible Church, 14143 Yosemite Blvd., Waterford.
A fundraising account has been established by Jennifer Odom to help the Hughes family defray funeral costs. Visit gofundme.com and search for “In Loving Memory of Shane Hughes” to contribute.
