Hufford returns for his fifth season as a Monarch as the Recruiting Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator, and returns to the defensive backfield to direct the Safeties. In 2013, Coach Hufford played a pivotal role in the USA South Co-Championship by guiding sophomore D.J. Payne to a USA South Conference Returner of the Year Award, averaging 29.9 yards per kickoff return. Kicker Cody Ausherman led the conference in total kickoff yards and field goals made, as well as earning All Conference honors under the tutelage of Hufford. In 2013, Hufford was the leader of a veteran linebacker group, led by senior Navahri Holden who earned USA South All Conference honors. The linebacker unit also helped lead the Monarch defense to becoming the second best rush defense during conference play.
Joining the Monarch Nation in 2010, Coach Hufford has commanded the safeties on some of the most stifling defenses in recent history of the USA South. From 2010-12, Hufford has instructed at least one USA South All Conference selection each year which include Jake Hunt and Antjuan Jones. Hufford took over the Special Teams coordinating responsibilities in 2011 and still holds that title this season. When Head Coach C.J. Goss took over in March of 2013, Hufford was promoted to Recruiting Coordinator as well.
Prior to joining Methodist University, Coach Hufford was a Graduate Assistant at Heidelberg University in Ohio, where he worked with the defensive backfield. During his undergraduate work, he was the Co-Defensive Coordinator at his alma mater, Mohawk High School. During the spring of 2007, he was a volunteer assistant football coach at Division II, Tiffin University. His collegiate playing days at Ashland University were numbered due to a knee injury that catapulted Hufford into his dream of becoming a football coach.
Coach Hufford has been selected to coach in a number of post season all star games. These games include the FCS Senior Scout Bowl (2013) in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as well as D3 All Star Classic (2012) in Salem, Virginia. Hufford has been an active member in the American Football Coaches Association since 2008.
Hufford earned an associate’s degree from Ashland University in 2005, before heading to Heidelberg to complete a bachelor's degree of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation in 2008. During his time as a graduate assistant, he earned a master's degree of Education from Heidelberg University in 2010.
“The reason I got into coaching was due to the fact that I love the game and the opportunities to positively impact the youth of our country through football are incredible. I have learned so much about myself not only as a coach, but as a person working under Coach Goss and by being part of Methodist University. Methodist University is full of great people who all have the same goal of seeing these students graduate with jobs or go on to graduate school. At Methodist University, our mode of operation is to help students create wonderful lives that they and their families can enjoy and be proud of.”
Hufford resides in Fayetteville.
