Kevin Caines Retires From Coaching After 31 Outstanding Years At HPHS

Saturday, June 10 2017

After a storied career of coaching the boys cross country and track & field teams at Highland Park High School, the legendary Kevin Caines is retiring from coaching. Coach Caines had a tremendous impact on both programs for the Giants. He has coached a multitude of record setting, all-conference, state qualifying, and all-state cross country and track & field athletes. Many of the athletes he has coached have gone on to compete at the collegiate level and several have even gone on to become coaches. More importantly he has had a positive impact on the countless young men that he has guided during his 31 years of coaching at HPHS.

Coach Caines was a gifted coach who was able to motivate and inspire young athletes to perform at a high level. This can be seen by the success both programs have had over the past 31 years.

His guidance, patience, and genuine care for all team members has contributed to the development of some of the finest young men from Highland Park and Highwood. The care he displayed was always “automatic and instinctive”. Coach Caines presented a coaching philosophy in which character was a priority. Being quality citizens, students, sons, friends, and teammates were topics that were discussed on a regular basis.

Coach Kevin Caines has had an impact on the cross country and track & field programs that can never truly be measured. Not only has he helped the young men that have gone through the programs as athletes, but he has had an impact on coaches too. He has been a mentor to many young coaches that have worked at HPHS. He also has given guidance and support to coaches from other teams throughout the state. Kevin Caines was a well respected coach by all that competed for him, coached with him, and also coached against him. In his final two years of coaching track & field at HPHS, he even had the special opportunity to coach with his daughter Amanda Caines as she is the jumps coach for the boys team.

Kevin Caines will be greatly missed and is wished all the best in his retirement from coaching. All of the people he has had a positive impact on are so grateful for for the privilege of being part of his career. As a small token of his impact, the track & field team will be presenting a new award each year named the Kevin Caines Leadership Award. This award is presented to a senior that has displayed a dedication to the track & field program, a high level of character, and a competitive spirit.