Two area prep football coaches resign positions

Adam Candee

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002 | 9:56 a.m.

Even as the playoff season wears on into the state rounds, the attrition of local high school football coaches is already under way.

Mojave's Mike Gutowski and Bishop Gorman's Kevin Kent have resigned from their head coaching posts, opening jobs with two weeks still remaining in the playoffs. Neither school announced a replacement for its departed coach.

Gutowski, who also serves as Mojave athletic director and president of the Southern Nevada Football Coaches Association, was the first and only coach of Mojave since the school's opening in 1996. The program did not begin varsity competition until 1998 because Mojave opened with only freshman students.

"Even though Coach Gutowski had difficult years in the win-loss column over the past three years, his dedication as a coach in the Las Vegas Valley for the past 29 years is remarkable," Mojave principal Andre Denson said.

Gutowski came to Mojave from Clark, where he helped the Chargers to the state championship in 1993. Mojave struggled through a winless season in 2002, and the Rattlers have yet to find great success.

Gutowski was out of town Monday and not available for comment.

Gorman athletic administrator Kevin Hickman confirmed Monday that Kent has resigned. The Gaels will be looking at their third coach in four years in 2003. Kent was an assistant coach for the Gaels before taking over the program from Roger Whalen in 2001.

Kent compiled a 12-7 record in two seasons, and the Gaels qualified for the region playoffs in both years. Gorman won the Southwest Division this year but lost 50-6 to Cimarron-Memorial in the opening round of the playoffs.

Kent could not be reached for comment.