ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: Sutter's Reynolds named top coach

At 8 years old, Ryan Reynolds received his first football helmet from the McKinleyville Panthers. He put it on, and at that moment knew he would spend his life dedicated to the sport.

With youthful exuberance in his room that evening, he placed it on a stool and stayed up all night staring at it — a foreshadowing moment for anyone who knows the Sutter High football coach.

Thirty-two years later, Reynolds still gets little shuteye during football season.

It's just one of many reasons why he was selected as the Appeal-Democrat's 2012 All-Area Coach of the Year.

A typical day begins around 6:30 a.m. before he heads to school. He teaches his social science classes and then moves into weight training after hours. It's followed by practice, film, staff meetings where the coaches come together and plan accordingly — even the practices are thought out in depth. Don't forget about his son Tyler's Jr. Huskies practice before getting home and watching more game film on his upcoming opponent until "11sh."

No stone goes unturned, which is the credo Reynolds hangs his hat on at the end of a busy day.

"I'm driven to not be outworked," Reynolds said. "I never want to let our players down because I'm being lazy. Being thorough is the only way. There are no shortcuts."

His playing career was highlighted by leading McKinleyville High to its only North Coast Section championship in 1989. He didn't go far from home and settled in at Humboldt State, where he played a little a quarterback, kicker and defensive back.

After graduating from Humboldt State, Reynolds wanted to be closer to his mother, who lived in Sacramento. A year later he was working under Scott Turner at Sutter. He was the head JV coach for two years before taking over as defensive coordinator in 2000.

"I have had many mentors ... but Scott Turner, you couldn't ask for a better mentor," Reynolds said. "He's had a profound impact on my career, no question."

After 12 years at Sutter, Reynolds took over for Turner as head coach in 2009.

In four seasons, Reynolds' record as a head coach is 39-11, but it's the Northern Section Championship banner his Huskies brought home in November that may be a little more gratifying for his backbone in life — his wife Kathy.

Ask Reynolds who he wishes to thank, the first person out of his mouth is his wife.

"My wife, no question," Reynolds said. "I wouldn't be doing what I am without her. ... In the coaching profession, a lot of guys get divorced. She is a total football wife and she supports me 100 percent."

Supporting a detail-oriented coach also means taking care of everything else during football season.

"She's a football widow for sure," Reynolds said. "She does all the parenting, takes care of the house ... I mean, she does everything."

Reynolds also finds support in his assistant coaches.

"I couldn't have a better coaching staff," he said. "There are no egos. We are all there for the kids. We are there to shape and mold respectful citizens."

Giving up his defensive coordinator duties in 2009 put Reynolds a little on edge, but he found the perfect answer in a guy who is cut from the same mold — Matt Schamanski.

"Matt came around at the right time. He fell right into my lap," Reynolds said. "I was worried about the defensive coordinator, because they have the most work load of anybody. But when he came on the scene, I was like 'wow.'"

Schamanski didn't miss a beat. While Reynolds gained recognition for his meticulous ways as a defensive coordinator under Turner, Reynolds is speaking about Schamanski the same way.

His defense this year turned out 69 sacks, 14 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles, while holding opponents to 11 points a game. Last year's output was even better.

Reynolds' support system stretches far. From Sutter High principal Ryan Robison to "one of the best defensive line coaches in the state" in Chris Macon, Reynolds credits all of his coaches. Dave Moran, Mike Landa and Moe LeBlanc, teachers, coaches and founders of the Jr. Huskies, couldn't go unmentioned — as well as good friend and former Wheatland High coach Javier Lopez. With a coaching staff the size of a NCAA team, the names continued.

But now, the meticulous Reynolds, who never knew Sutter existed before moving to the small town, has etched himself into the small town's lore.