Bluffton High hires new football coach from championship program in Georgia

Bluffton found its new football coach from a state championship program in the state of Georgia.

Collins Hill assistant coach Hayden Gregory was introduced as the school’s new coach on Friday. Gregory replaces John Houpt, who stepped down in November.

Gregory has spent the past five seasons as offensive line coach for his father, Lenny Gregory, at Collins Hill. The Eagles went 15-0 this year and won the Georgia Class 7A championship over Milton.

“The success that we had at Collins Hill did not happen by accident,” Gregory said. “I believe I can take the same blueprint to build Bluffton to its highest possible potential.”

Collins Hill featured Travis Hunter, one of the top players in the country, who signed with Jackson State.

Hayden Gregory was a standout at Grayson High School and played college football at Mercer before joining his father’s staff at Collins Hill. At Grayson, he played for Mickey Conn, who built the program into a powerhouse before leaving for Clemson where he will be the team’s co-defensive coordinator this year.

Gregory said his experience working and playing for top programs will help with his first head coaching job.

“My experiences have given me invaluable lessons in how to run a successful program,” Gregory said. “I look forward to taking Bluffton football to the next level.”

The Bobcats went 2-8 this season and lost in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs to North Augusta. The Bobcats had a good run under Ken Cribb from 2010-16 where they reached the state championship game in 2011. The Bobcats have a strong group coming back with offensive players Jaylin Linder and Camauri Simmons and defensive standouts Jeremiah Curry and JaQuinn Williams.

“We searched for someone who cares about the well-being of student-athletes and will grow them in all facets, a high-energy individual that we felt would immediately gain player buy-in, has a proven record of success on and off the field, tremendous history of helping to get his players to the next level and an individual who understands the impact the team can have in the school and our community,” Bluffton athletic director Todd Stewart said. “We found our clear next head football coach in coach Gregory.”

SC High School Football Openings

School — Former Coach — New Coach

AC Flora — Dustin Curtis— TBA

Airport — Kirk Burnett — TBA

Batesburg-Leesville — Gary Adams — Gene Cathcart

Bluffton — John Houpt— Hayden Gregory

Boiling Springs — Rick Tate — Matt Reel

Dorman — Dave Guttshall — Dustin Curtis

Hilton Head Prep — Dave Adams — TBA

Lewisville — Will Mitchell — Leon Boulware

Newberry — Phil Strickland — TBA

North Augusta — Jim Bob Bryant — TBA

North Myrtle Beach — Matt Reel — TBA

Oceanside Collegiate — Joe Call — TBA

Stall — Joe Bessinger — TBA

Travelers Rest — Ray Gould — TBA