Ewing High School has named Al-majid Hutchins as the new head football coach for the Blue Devils.
Hutchins, 36, is a New Jersey State Trooper patrolling Mercer, Burlington and Middlesex counties for the last eight and half years. Hutchins has been coaching football for the last 14 years beginning in North Jersey as a defensive coordinator at his alma mater, East Orange High School. He took over as head coach in 2015.
He has also coached at West Side High School, Malcolm X Shabazz High School, as well as most recently Plainfield High School as both assistant coach and head coach. He and his wife and two children moved to Mercer County six years ago.
“We’re excited to bring Al-majid along to grow our football program,” said EHS athletic director Christina Monaco Caldwell. “Our Blue Devils have a well-recognized history in our community. We hope that under his direction, and with his extensive experience, this district will continue to build a strong program with current and future players.”
The Essex County native held three varsity letters in football for the East Orange High School Jaguars, earning himself a No.1 cornerback title in New Jersey by Rivals.com. Before graduating in 2007, he was named first team all-state and all region as a senior, first team all-Essex by the Star Ledger, and invited to the New York/New Jersey Governors Bowl All-Star Classic.
He was the district’s first ever scholarship athlete. Hutchins played three seasons at Rutgers University New Brunswick, then transferred to Stony Brook University in New York for two seasons. Just prior to his 2011 season, Hutchins was named All-Big South by Phil Steele’s College Football Review.
“Football has always been my first love,” said Hutchins. “I want to build a fierce culture and have a family mindset.”
Hutchins says his goals for the season are simple: “Two mantras I live by: Us and We, not I or Me. Anything that I’ve ever been a part of in life that was successful, even in my professional career as a state trooper, was always about the team. I want to bring that mindset, and make sure our kids understand how important that is,” Hutchins said.
“And two, I want to build the optimal athlete,” he added. “Someone that’s productive in the classroom first, and someone that’s productive on the football field. Obviously, football doesn’t always last forever, so players need to be a productive man in society,” he said.
Hutchins is taking over for Ross Maddalon, who coached the Blue Devils for three seasons. The district is still in the process of hiring an assistant coaching staff for the coming season.
“I’m looking forward to building relationships with people in the community and taking this program to the next level,” said Hutchins. “I’m expecting some big things this year.”
Hutchins and his wife have two kids. His son plays Pop Warner football and daughter cheerleads for an EHS rival school – making this now an “in house challenge,” Hutchins said jokingly.
For Ewing High School athletic highlights, schedules, and more, visit www.ewing.k12.nj.us/parent-information/athletics.
New Ewing High head football coach Al-majid Hutchins.,
