New Abbeville High football coach learns he has cancer

While most high school head football coaches are preparing for their first game of the season, Abbeville Head Football Coach Gary Adkins is also doing that, plus, he is preparing to have a brain scan and a biopsy this morning.
Doctors found cancer in a thyroid gland in his neck earlier this week.
The new coach, who has been at Abbeville for only five weeks, noticed last week he had a swelling in his neck and was not feeling too well. He really felt bad for the Parish Jamboree last Friday.
This week he has had to deal with bad headaches and he is feeling pressure in his head. When he stands for a long period of time he becomes weak. Tonight he plans to be at the Kaplan game in the press box calling the plays. But that could change after this morning’s procedures.
“I don’t really know what my schedule will be in the future,” said Adkins on Thursday as he prepared his players for practice. “I never dreamed in a million years I would have cancer. I asked my doctor what did I do or what didn’t I do to get cancer. He replied, ‘If I knew that answer I would not be sitting here.”
Two weeks ago he saw a lymph node in his neck swell and he recently had a Cat Scan done. Doctors found cancer.
In the meantime while having to deal with the news about cancer, Adkins, who has been coaching for 30 years, is also dealing with trying to get his team ready to open the season against Kaplan tonight.
He told his players Wednesday about what doctors discovered. He promised them he will be at every practice and game his health lets him be present.
“I talked to the kids and they understood and have been good about it,” he said.
Adkins admits he is not sure what the future holds because he has never had to deal with cancer before. Adkins is counting on his assistant coaches, especially his long time friend and assistant coach Gerald Cayer. The two have been together for 19 years.
“He knows how I want things done,” said Adkins. “If I can’t make it Friday, Gerald will handle the sidelines.”
“The hardest part will be not being here if there are issues that come up, like personnel issues or other problems. I will not be here to deal with them.”
There is a slim chance that he may never coach again, but do not look for that to happen. Adkins is planning to be back coaching tonight from the Kaplan press box. After this morning’s tests, he plans to go home and rest until game time.
“I am a firm believer in the good Lord and what ever He has planned for me, that is what it is,” said Adkins. “It does not mean I am not scared. If someone would ask me if I am scared of dying, I do not know if I could give them an answer.
“I want to come out with a clean bill of health.”
That’s all Wildcat fans want also.