Gretna School Soccer Coach Digger Hawkins, 44, Dies In Crash After Car Veers Into Ditch, Now Reunited With His Parents
Emily Sparks
Published May 15, 2026
Gretna School Soccer Coach Digger Hawkins, 44, Dies In Crash After Car Veers Into Ditch, Now Reunited With His Parents
Our hearts go out to his family, friends, former players, and all who knew and loved him.
June 24, 2026
This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on June 24, 2026
An Omaha man, David Hawkins, was killed in a car crash early on the morning of June 22 in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
According to the sheriff’s office, a deputy saw Hawkins’ car, a 2026 Mercedes, swerving across the centerline on Highway 92 near Hope Lane.
When the deputy tried to pull him over, Hawkins drove off, trying to get away.
Hawkins’ car eventually went off the road and into a ditch, crashing hard. Emergency crews arrived and tried to save him, but he died at the scene.
Hawkins, 44, also known as “Digger,” was a well-known soccer coach. He had worked for Gretna Public Schools, coaching the girls’ soccer team from 2016 to 2026.
He also coached at Creighton University, Bellevue University, Midland University, and Millard North High School.
Family And Friends Mourn The Loss Of The Soccer Coach
Debbie Gorrie said it’s hard to believe Digger is gone and hopes he’s reunited with his beloved parents, who loved him deeply. She wished him peace in the afterlife.
R.I.P Digger Hawkins can’t actually believe it. May you meet your lovely mum and dad in the afterlife they loved you so much
Even the shared that the last few years of Digger Hawkins’ life were especially tough.
Losing his mother, whom he was very close to, was heartbreaking and deeply affected him.
Not long after, he also faced another painful loss when he was let go from the soccer club he had worked so hard to build.
These events deeply affected him, and he was never quite the same afterward.
Nicole Wenzl shared that out of all the mentors she’s had, managers and coaches alike, Digger stood out the most.
He helped her fall in love with the game and pushed her to always work hard, stay positive, and play with good sportsmanship.
He spent extra time working with her one-on-one, helping her master control and technique through tough, focused training sessions.
…He was honest, never sugarcoated anything, and gave everything he had to the sport and to the people he cared about.
He had nicknames for me—“Determination Diva,” “Nicki Minaj,” and the one who “played like a boy.” He made soccer fun. And more than that, he taught me life lessons I carry with me to this day. On and off the field, he helped shape who I am. I was, he believed, the first player he coached who went on to coach college soccer—and he was a huge reason for that.
I’m endlessly grateful to have had him as a coach and mentor. He truly was the best.
It breaks my heart to know he’s gone and how things happened. But I will always remember him for the good and the incredible impact he had on my life.
There is truly no one like him.
You will be deeply missed, Digger.
Similarly, Joe Rauth shared how heartbroken he feels over the loss of his friend, Digger Hawkins.
He believes Digger is in heaven, surrounded by the legacy he left behind, especially all the players who discovered their love for soccer through his camps and teams.
Joe says Gretna soccer owes Digger a great deal and prays that he is welcomed into peace.
Crushed at the loss of my friend, Digger Hawkins. We are all flawed individuals, and no one knows the demons we each seek to hide. We hope that we are each judged by the totality of the work we have done on earth. Digger is in heaven because the sheer number of players that started their love of “the beautiful game” in one of his camps or teams. An award-winning coach, a remarkable man, and a good friend. Gretna soccer owes you a huge debt of gratitude. May God greet you and take you home. I will miss you.
Rest in peace, Coach Digger Hawkins!
- Check other Articles on
Introducing Alisha Shrestha, a dynamic writer and content editor with a finger on the pulse of the sports industry. With her passion for style and culture, Alisha delivers compelling articles that inspire and inform readers, keeping them up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.
Related articles
May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026
May 14, 2026
May 14, 2026
Comments
LEAVE A REPLY
Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Share article
- May 15, 2026 Jerry Lee Singleton, a 1974 graduate of DeKalb High School, where he was a standout athlete, has passed away at 70. Singleton was born on...
- May 15, 2026 Residents living along Blackwell Road in Huthwaite are calling for urgent action after a group of children was repeatedly caught kicking front doors and...
- May 14, 2026 Howard Paul Sr., a graduate of Black River High School, tragically passed away. Paul was born on September 15, 1951, to his father, Arthur, and...
- May 14, 2026 A disturbing act of violence at Steven's Park in Allentown has left residents shaken and demanding answers after a witness took to social media...
- May 13, 2026 Residents of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, are raising serious concerns after a series of violent incidents involving a group of young boys who have been targeting...
