David “Digger” Hawkins, a widely respected and beloved soccer coach who guided Gretna High School’s girls soccer team to a historic state championship, tragically passed away early Sunday morning in a one-car accident while being pursued by a sheriff’s deputy in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He was 44 years old.
The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Iowa Highway 92, just east of Council Bluffs. According to a report by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Hawkins was driving a 2021 Mercedes sedan when he began crossing the center line.
A sheriff’s deputy initiated a pursuit, but Hawkins continued heading east until his vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a ditch. Deputies performed lifesaving measures until Treynor Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Hawkins, a native of Portsmouth, England, had become a cornerstone of the Omaha-area soccer community. Known for his energy, passion, and deep knowledge of the game, Hawkins made a lasting impact on players, fellow coaches, and the broader soccer landscape.
He served as director of coaching for the Gretna Soccer Club and was an assistant coach for the Creighton University women’s soccer team before assuming the head coaching role for the Gretna High School girls soccer team in 2015.
In 2021, under Hawkins’ leadership, Gretna High captured its first-ever Class A state championship in any sport—boys or girls. That season was more than a sports milestone; it was a testament to Hawkins’ commitment, vision, and ability to inspire greatness in others.
“He made magic on and off the field,” said Alicia Gjovig, who served as Hawkins’ lead female assistant coach at Gretna High. “The moment he would walk into a room, whether it be the locker room or elsewhere, he instantly lit it up; his energy was unmatched.”
Hawkins’ coaching career began in England, but he quickly found a second home in Nebraska, where his impact deepened year after year. During his time with Creighton, he worked closely with attacking players, helping the team score 50 goals in his first year on staff in 2010—a mark that ranked second in the program’s history at the time.
He also contributed to youth soccer development through his work with the Olympic Development Program. Former Gretna coach Joe Rauth, who had retired from coaching after a battle with cancer, recalled the moment Hawkins asked him to return to the field.
“‘What would it take for you to join me?’ he asked me,” Rauth said. “He gave me a new life.” Together, Hawkins and Rauth helped shape one of the most successful runs in Nebraska high school soccer history.
Beyond the victories, Hawkins was remembered for the personal attention he gave to his players. Rauth recounted how Hawkins would memorize the names of over 300 campers who attended his training sessions. “He cared more about his players than he ever did himself,” said Gjovig.
The Gretna community and Nebraska soccer at large are mourning the loss of a man who was much more than a coach. He was a mentor, a motivator, a friend, and a leader who left a legacy of excellence and compassion.
“No one will be able to fill his shoes,” Gjovig said. “Gretna as a community, and specifically the soccer programs in Gretna, would not be what they are today without Hawkins.”
David Hawkins is survived by countless players, friends, and coaching colleagues whose lives he touched deeply. Funeral arrangements and memorial plans will be announced in the coming days.
As the soccer world reflects on his life and career, one thing is certain: David “Digger” Hawkins leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, heart, and achievement that will not be forgotten.
