Trevor Hudson proclaimed last December that he loves American Canyon High School’s football program “more than a fat kid loves cake.”
Now he’s looking to help himself to a different kind of treat.
American Canyon’s effervescent head coach told his staff and players on Wednesday that he is stepping down to take the head coach position at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs. The decision comes after a two-year reign that included the school’s first-ever state championship in December.
“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Hudson told the Times-Herald Wednesday night. “I’m happy that I’m going somewhere with my family where we wanted to go to, but at the same time I hate to leave the kids, the coaches and the community of American Canyon. The community has been all that I could have asked for and more.”
It was, says Hudson, an excruciating decision.
“How hard was it?” said Hudson. “It was like taking the SAT without a calculator.”
Soon after guiding the Wolves to the state title, Hudson found himself weighing the pros and cons of a life-changing opportunity in Colorado, where he lived for seven years, while leaving a group he loved.
“Look, the team is going to be loaded once again next year,” Hudson said. “I’m handing some coach the keys to the Ferrari next year. But this is something me and my family were looking at.
“I told the coaches first and then I met with the team, because I wanted them to find out first before the news hit social media. I think most of the kids were somber, but they were happy for me. At the same time they were sad to see their coach leave. But this is just part of the business and I believe they understood that.”
In Hudson’s two years with American Canyon, he went 19-7 overall, 8-4 in the Vine Valley Athletic League and 5-1 in the postseason. His only playoff loss was in his first year ons the road to Cardinal Newman.
After the 68-47 state title victory over Palmdale in December, Hudson’s emotions bubbled over.
“We are forever etched in American Canyon folklore, American Canyon history and we’ve made a memory for ourselves,” Hudson said after. “That’s really the biggest thing. I love these kids more than a fat kid loves cake, man.”
He showered what he called a “very welcoming American Canyon community” with even more praise on Wednesday afternoon, taking to social media to announce he was stepping down. He said the community welcomed him and his family with open arms on every step of his journey.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for the love, encouragement and unwavering support you have given me and my family,” Hudson wrote. “The memories we have made together, the battle under the Friday night lights, the early mornings, the late nights, the lessons learned in victory and defeat will stay with me forever.
“But above all we made history together. We became the first state champions in Napa Valley Unified School District history. No one can take that away from us … that championship was more than just a trophy, it was a testament to our hard work, resilience, and belief in each other.
Hudson called coaching the Wolves one of the great honors of his life.
“Watching you grow, push yourselves and rise to the challenge every single day inspired me beyond words,” Hudson said. “But while I was coaching you, you were shaping me, molding me into a better leader, mentor and man. The bond we built is something I’ll cherish forever. I will miss the grind, sweat, the victories, and even the tough moments, but more than anything I’ll miss you. Not matter where life takes you, I will always be there for you.”
Hudson said he won’t have any say in who takes over his job at American Canyon, saying the school will make that choice.
Pine Creek High went 7-4 overall last season and 4-1 in the 5A Southern League.