Smoky Hill didn't need to look far to find its next football coach.
The Buffaloes on Monday announced the hiring of Justin Hoffman, who had been the head coach at nearby Gateway ? just five miles away ? for the past six seasons.
Smoky hired him in the hope he can replicate his success at Gateway ? namely, creating a culture of success.
Hoffman was 28-32 at Gateway since 2007, including 7-3 in 2012. His overall record, though, is deceiving. He inherited a program that went 1-9 in 2006, then went 0-9 in 2007. Hoffman's teams were 28-23 since 2008, and went to the playoffs every year during that stretch.
"It was a lot of fun in getting up to where (Gateway) is today and being competitive at 7-3 and losing three games by 12 points," Hoffman said. "That's what we're going to try to do (at Smoky Hill): We're trying to create a program, not just a winning season."
Hoffman resigned from Gateway on Monday, and spoke with some members of his former team about the new job at Smoky Hill this afternoon.
His commute won't change much. Smoky Hill is just a 15-minute drive down Chambers Road from Gateway. Adding to the intrigue: Gateway and Smoky Hill will open the 2013 season against one another, as they did in 2012, a 26-0 Gateway win.
"I honestly didn't even think about that part of it as factoring into the decision at all," Hoffman said. "You know, it just so happens that maybe they're a little bit more familiar with me because we opened up Week 1 with them last year. I think it's kind of neat for Gateway's seniors next year to open up that way. I think that's going to be a pretty good setting for them. Hopefully, we'll make the Buffs a little bit stronger."
Smoky Hill went 4-6 under coach John Thompson last season. Thompson resigned in December after seven seasons as coach. The Buffaloes are 13-35 since 2008, but have been to the playoffs the past three seasons.
The Buffaloes will return starting quarterback Trent Clay, a junior, as well as his top target, Frank Thomas.
Last season, Hoffman's Gateway team threw just 65 times, compared with 388 rushing attempts. The Olympians had 2,840 yards on the ground and 43 touchdowns.
Smoky Hill had more of a balanced offense ? attempting 257 passes to 324 rushes ? but does graduate three of its top four rushers.
Hoffman said he'd adjust his offense.
"Any smart coach is going to adapt to kids," he said. "It's certainly nice to have a kid like Clay coming back. That's another draw to the job: you already have a quarterback in place."
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1983, rcasey@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jryancasey.
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