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
Welcome New Bluffton High School Football Coach, Hayden Gregory from Collin Hill, HS , GA. Blessings to you here in the Lowcountry. pic.twitter.com/HnJATiEJIR
— South Coastal FCA (@SouthCoastalFCA) January 15, 2022