Coroner report issued in death of popular football coach found in a car north of Pasco

AlanMichel “Bug” Hyde’s death has left his friends and family in shock.

“As I write this, I’m along with all of you, still thinking this is not real,” said Lynn Chandler, the organizer of a GoFundMe raising money to pay for the funeral expenses for the 27-year-old Pasco coach. “I know our collective hearts are breaking for the family for how much loss they’ve experienced in such a short period of time.”

Hyde was discovered dead from a gunshot wound inside a car in a farm field about two miles north of Pasco on Aug. 6.

After initially investigating it as a potential homicide, Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary said the death has been ruled a suicide.

Hyde worked beside his father Mike Hyde at New Tradition Homes and also as a youth football coach for years before Mike’s death from cancer in 2021.

“Bug, by his Dad’s side, has touched and positively influenced countless numbers of youths as he pursued his love of coaching football,” Chandler said in the GoFundMe.

His love of football started when he was 6 when he began playing with the Columbia Basin Youth Football.

“Captain of his team, even then, he would march out to the center of the field with his long curly red mullet flowing out the back of his helmet,” she said.

He spent a season as the quarterback before moving into what became his favorite position — center. He continued playing for Columbia High School in Burbank.

He started coaching youth football when he was a high school freshman. Alongside his dad, he helped coach Columbia Basin Youth Football with Pasco, Kennewick and Hanford teams and Columbia Basin 7-on-7.

He was one of six children and married about a year ago.

“Bug will FOREVER be remembered for his fiery personality, quick wit, and bright smile that lit up the field and the world,” the GoFundMe said. Donations can be made at bit.ly/HydeMemorial.

This story was originally published August 14, 2023 at 11:55 AM.