Brian Schutte, former football coach and father of Male QB Nic Schutte, dies at age 49
Brian Schutte, a former high school football coach in the Louisville area and father of Male senior quarterback Nic Schutte, died Tuesday.
Brian Schutte was 49. The cause of death has not been released.
The news came four days before Nic Schutte is set to lead the Bulldogs against St. Xavier in Saturday’s Class 6A championship game at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field.
Nic Schutte will play in the state final for the fourth straight year and said he couldn’t have done it without his father’s guidance.
“He’s really the one who got me started playing football,” said Nic Schutte, who has signed to play baseball at Western Kentucky University. “He coached me all the way up through middle school, and I don’t know where I’d be this day without him being right there by my side every step up the way. … He’s been my No. 1 supporter, for sure.”
Brian Schutte also played quarterback and was a 1990 graduate of Holy Cross High School. Nic Schutte said his father played one year of football at Hanover College before returning to Louisville to coach.
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Brian Schutte was the head coach at Jeffersontown (1999-2000), South Oldham (2001-03) and Fern Creek (2004) and later coached in several youth leagues.
Male athletic director John Kelsey said Brian Schutte had worked with Male’s coaching staff the past few seasons, filming games and doing work on the team’s Hudl.com webpage. Brian Schutte also worked for Ruoff Mortgage.
“He was a huge supporter, very generous,” Kelsey said. “He did a lot of things for kids. It’s a tremendous loss. Everybody knew him. …
“He was so proud of Nic, but he was very, very humble. He was very generous, but he never wanted any attention for himself for any of the things he did.”
Nic Schutte did not practice with the Bulldogs on Tuesday but said he plans to return Wednesday and will play in Saturday’s championship game.
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“I know there’s no other place he’d want me to be than out here competing and trying to win the state championship,” Nic Schutte said. “He’d be more disappointed in me if I sat out, especially in this game.”
Senior wide receiver Dominic Vrbancic said the Bulldogs will rally around their quarterback.
“We’re all going to be there for him,” Vrbancic said. “We’re all going to do whatever we can to help him feel better and feel ready for this game and help him get through the week.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Brian Schutte, ex-football coach and father of Male QB, dies at age 49
