RETIRING AD SAYS NOTHING BEATS SEEING KIDS SUCCEED

coach. “He did a really good job from day one of getting the kids to relate to him. He didn’t get mad often. But when he did get mad, the kids responded. He had that touch from the get-go.”

It also took years for me to realize about Plunkett’s background, because as I quickly learned, he’s a humble man who doesn’t like attention or talking about himself. He had a nice career in the NFL, including playing in the 1986 Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He’s a UNLV great too.

He knows his football, especially working with the offensive line. When Las Vegas was a perennial power, he took small, undersized players, and turned them into all-league performers. They always won a lot of games — I’ve argued the Wildcats of the early 2000s would beat modern-day Bishop Gorman.

Plunkett is retiring next week and is moving to the Pacific Northwest. He is one of five finalists for the Unsung Hero award during tonight’s Sun Standout Awards at the South Point. The award is designated for someone who works behind the scenes to help student-athletes be successful and further enjoy the high school experience.

Plunkett, who doubled as the Las Vegas athletic director, did that and more for more than 20 years — all at Las Vegas. He stopped coaching a few years ago because his knees couldn’t hold up, but instead became the school’s most prominent supporter. Whenever the Wildcats would play, and regardless of the outcome, he was there cheering.

It was the only school where he coached and taught. He loves Las Vegas High. The players and teachers love him back.

“He looks tough and gruff, but he’s the teddy bear type and always there for the kids,” said Derek Stafford, the athletic administrator. “He’s old-school. I am glad we got to work together.”

Plunkett returned to Las Vegas after an eight-year NFL career and opened a pizza parlor in Green Valley. After a few years of making pizza and wings, he found his true calling in working with kids. Las Vegas won state championships in 2001, 2005 and 2006.

“We had a good run. We had a very good run,” Plunkett said. “Those kids were hungry to win. We were the eastside kids. They never had respect . ... There is nothing better than seeing a kid succeed and get all fired up, watching them grow from an awkward freshman to a senior. That’s the best part of the whole deal.”

I’m going to miss seeing Plunkett on Friday nights. Probably not as much as the children at Las Vegas. But at least I can go on the Wildcats’ sideline.

“People are afraid of me. I scared you,” Plunkett said. “I am sarcastic. After people get to know me, I have had them say, ‘I thought you were mean.’ ”