The Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon of the Month is coach Tate Omli. Coach Omli is the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Blue Dragons and a graduate of Ell-Saline High School. Omli joined the staff in January of 2020 after coach Drew Dallas was named head coach.
“It has been my pleasure to be the Defensive Coordinator here for the last two seasons. Coach Dallas helped me land my first graduate assistant job at Angelo State University in Texas in June of 2015. Since then, I have coached at Eastern Michigan University, East Carolina University, and Murray State University before coming back to Hutchinson,” said Omli. “It is wonderful being back close to home and in the great state of Kansas. My wife, Kristin, and I welcomed our first son Tucker in February. Being back close to my parents and a couple of my siblings has been great after being away from them for a few years.”
Like many of his peers, coach Omli said there have been several people who have mentored him during his coaching career.
“I have had a lot of positive mentors help me get to where I am today. In high school, my football coach Terry King as well as my wrestling coach Jeff Giles were big influences. Both of those men instilled confidence in me daily while also challenging me to be the best every day. In college, Troy Morrell was and still is a big mentor of mine. He always sees the big picture, has outstanding leadership skills, and as a player of his you always felt like he was in control no matter the situation,” said Omli.
Coach Omli believes Hutchinson Community College offers the whole package to faculty and students.
“We have great people here that care about our student-athletes from the top down. Our administration is all-in on equipping our student-athletes with every resource they need to be successful on and off the field. Our football staff is made up of 10 coaches who want you to be the best you can be and will challenge you daily. The city of Hutchinson is the best city in the Jayhawk Conference and loves Hutchinson CC football. Finally, our facilities are top notch. We got a brand-new locker room and offices in July 2020 that are located in the northeast corner of the stadium. Our weight room was added in 2014 and is only used by the football team. I believe we are the only junior college program in the country that has an on-campus stadium, on-campus locker room, and a football only weight room,” said Omli. “If you come into HutchCC ready to compete, have a good attitude, and play with great effort you will be successful on the field here. If you come into HutchCC go to class on time, turn all your work in when it is due, and use your academic resources you will be successful in the classroom here.”
Coach Omli pictured with wife Kristin and son Tucker after Hutchinson won the National Championship in June.
