When Jeff Bayuk walked away as Hubbard’s head coach at the end of the 2006 season, there was concern amongst the Eagles faithful that their team would suffer the consequences of a program in transition.

Instead, Brian Hoffman was an instant success.

During his first year with at Hubbard, Hoffman led the Eagles to a 7-4 finish, including a trip to the Division III playoffs.

Hoffman followed up last year’s success by leading his 2008 squad to an 8-2 regular-season mark. Last Saturday, the Eagles opened postseason play with a 40-12 win over Ravenna.

The Eagles can advance to the Division III Region 9 title game Saturday with a win over Aurora.

A Hubbard graduate, Hoffman played collegiately at Slippery Rock and Youngstown State. He began his coaching career at West Middlesex, where he served as an assistant for seven years before being promoted in 2004 to head coach. In 2006, he led the school to the Pennsylvania Single A state title game.

Hoffman is an assistant principal at Keystone Charter School in Greenville. He and his wife, Liz, were married last June.

Q. Did last year’s playoff experience in any way help this year’s Hubbard team?

A. “Without question, it did. Those players who were part of the experience last year had a strong desire to not only get back to the playoffs but to take that next step forward. It provided motivation all throughout the offseason. Plus, the trip to the postseason proved to these guys that hard work and dedication has its rewards. They headed into the weight program last winter with a great deal of energy because of last year’s success.”

Q. Because you are a Hubbard native, did you feel added pressure to succeed when you returned home to coach?

A. “I think that the added pressure came from within. I placed a lot of expectations upon myself, and not just from a football point of view. There is more to coaching than just winning and losing. I truly believe that coaching is about teaching life skills and instilling values. Once I believed I was succeeding in that area, I became more comfortable in my role here. And, the success on the field took care of itself because that success is a by-product of everything else we teach.”

Q. You opened the season with three very tough non-conference opponents (Poland, JFK, Howland). Did those three games better prepare you for league play?

A. “It’s a double-edge sword to open the season that way because you always want to get off to a good start, but at the same time if you get through that type of stretch, it gives you confidence the rest of the year. Even though we lost to Poland, we felt good about ourselves after those three games. The way our league is set up, we’ll face a similar schedule the next four years.”

Q. Your team will play its next game on artificial turf at Mollenkopf Stadium. Do you have a preference between grass or turf?

A. “This team is pretty versatile, so I’m not sure if it makes that much of a difference. We’ve played well on both grass and turf. However, if anything I think our team speed especially on defense will benefit from the turf. Personally I prefer turf, and I think the players also enjoy it. I think the change provides added excitement and motivation.”

Q. What do you remember most about your appearance in the state title game while at West Middlesex?

A. “For me, it wasn’t about the state championship game in particular, but rather the whole season leading up to the finals. The dynamics of that team is something I will always remember. The work the players put into that season was unbelievable, and to see all of that work pay dividends was something special. Those players truly earned the right to be in that game.

Q. When it comes to college football, do you prefer to watch an offense like Texas or a defense like Alabama?

A. “To be honest with you, by the time the weekend rolls around, I’m pretty much burned out by football and I don’t watch as much as you might think. That being said, I’m a huge Ohio State fan. Plus, I’ll always watch a game in an effort to pick something up. Coaches can’t help but learn while watching a game, especially if a team is running their type of system. Anytime I watch a game, I really try to walk away with a new idea.”

XInterview by Vindicator correspondent Steve Ruman.