Rio Linda High School coach Marion Adams died on Tuesday after a freak injury following track practice a day earlier.

Adams, 59, was leaving the school on his bicycle when he waved to a student. A partially metal gate was open and Adams apparently didn't see it and was impaled on the fence, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Adams, who coached the track and field team as well as taught multimedia classes, was a respected and a popular fixture at the school, those who knew him said.

He was rushed to Mercy San Juan Hospital, where he underwent two surgeries to treat internal injuries. Surgeons tried to resuscitate Adams, but couldn't stop the internal bleeding.

Mike Morris, the high school’s athletic director, said Adams was always quick with a joke and had a gregarious personality. “Marion was the most popular and nicest man on campus; just a great guy,” he said.

Adams graduated from Rio Linda High in 1972, and later made the switch from a career in banking to teaching in 2004, the Sacramento Bee reported. Adams had previously coached in a youth football league as well as a Little League in the community. He was fan of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants and the National Football League's 49ers.

Adams’ colleagues, friends, family and Rio Linda High students stayed overnight at the hospital waiting news on the coach. His brother, David Adams, said, “So many people hung out for the night in the hospital. I knew what kind of man he was – he's my brother – but to see all that love and support really moved us. We're all feeling this.”

Adams is survived by his wife Kathy, two children, Joe and Sarah, as well as two grandchildren. Memorial services are pending.

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