How Central Catholic's D-coordinator Gavin Breyfogle found home in Lafayette
Central Catholic defensive coordinator Gavin Breyfogle was surrounded by 11 players and called plays for the scout team offense.
He was using the opposition's offensive play calls to prep his defense for the IHSAA Class 2A sectional opener against his alma mater Winamac.
Breyfogle displays confidence and wisdom during his team's preparation, eliciting a response from players that is both energetic and initiative-taking. It's the final 30 minutes of practice over a dimming sky, yet the energy displayed is playful and game-like. Each element of the offense and defense is set during a practice where team goals and player goals are being set.
All head coach Brian Nay had to do was blow his whistle and watch while Breyfogle took leadership on the field.
"I don't know what I'd do if I had to take the sideline without him," Nay said.
Beneath the grizzly beard is a 24-year-old who just four years ago was searching for an opportunity that would fill his longing for family.
Breyfogle had been a sophomore defensive lineman at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin in 2017 before his life took some quick and unfortunate turns. He broke his wrist for the fourth time and was told by doctors to stop playing football. The injury required four different surgeries. And then tragedy struck on a deeper level.
Breyfogle's father Brad died just weeks after his career-ending injury.
The 20-year-old Breyfogle decided he needed a different experience that would allow him to easily find jobs somewhere other than Winamac, a town of 2,490.
Breyfogle came to Lafayette in 2019 and took on six different jobs. He helped build an escape room and assisted with creating MegaBlast, a laser tag arena downtown. At night, Breyfogle delivered food on UberEats and was a security guard at the Hampton Inn at nights.
"Whenever someone needed someone, I was there," Breyfogle said. "Lafayette had a lot more opportunities that Winamac didn't have."
He slept for just five hours nightly in 2019, waking up and working as a substitute teacher at Central Catholic before turning around and working his multiple night shifts. And somehow, Breyfogle found the energy to coach defensive line — bringing with him a wealth of college football experience from his still-recent playing days at St. Norbert College.
He called Nay during his move and obtained the role of coaching the defensive line.
"When I first moved here I planned on being in (Lafayette) for about a year," Breyfogle said. "If I'm going to be honest, the players, parents and coaches are what turned this place into a home for me."
Central Catholic enjoyed immediate success upon Breyfogle's arrival in 2019. The Knights went 12-3 and won the IHSAA Class 1A State Championship beating Indianapolis Lutheran 29-28 - Central Catholic's eighth state title.
Breyfogle was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2020. Central Catholic's defense has forced seven turnovers this season and has allowed more than 10 points once during the team's current 4-game winning streak.
"We are extremely blessed that he chose us and we chose him and it's been a partnership," Nay said. "More than being colleagues, it's been a friendship that has grown. He's loyal, he's one of the hardest-working coaches I've been around. His maturity for a 24-year-old is absolutely insane. He's like a little brother to me."
Breyfogle's assertiveness and knowledge of football have left a mark on players like junior running back Jackson Cain.
"He's just an unselfish leader," Cain said. "Everything he does is for the best of the team. He's just trying to get all of our dudes on the field at one time and he's done a great job schematically. Everything he does at such a young age is super impressive."
Breyfogle has created a new foundation at Central Catholic (6-3) as he prepares to stop Winamac (3-6) from advancing in the playoffs. He hasn't expressed in reuniting with Winamac.
He teaches 7th and 8th grade history and enjoys lecturing about the American Revolution and Civil War.
Breyfogle's goal is to continue enriching the students, players, families and coaches that welcomed him to Lafayette.
"I want our kids to max out their potential where that lies and do the best they can possibly do on any given day," Breyfogle said.
Winamac (3-6) vs. Central Catholic (6-3)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Central Catholic has won three straight meetings since 2013 and outscored Winamac 138-58 in that span.
About Winamac: Offense has been shut out twice and held under 10 points four times. … Winamac owns wins over Culver Community, West Central of Franceville and Caston of Fulton.
About Central Catholic: The Knights average 29.9 points and allow 14.1 points per game. … Central Catholic in the Class 2A rankings by MaxPreps. …. ..Statistical leaders-Passing: Bobby Metzger (175-281, 1,801 yards, 21 TD, 6 INT). … Rushing: Mason Meister (60 car., 375 yards, 6 TD). … Receiving: Alex Hardebeck (22 rec., 301 yards, 6 TD), Ray Clayton (51 rec., 484 yards, 4 TD), Jackson Cain (39 rec., 358 yards, 4 TD). … Defense: Nick Page (77 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sack), Albert Schwartz (55 tackles, 5 TFL, 7 sack), Ryan Delgatto (53 tackles, 10 TFL, 8 sacks), Clayton (25 tackles, 2 INT) Brinn Robbins (63 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 INT) Ben Bunton (23 tackles, 2 INT). … Kicking: (Thomas Henry 31-33 PAT, 1-4 FG, long of 21).
Coach Nay's take: "We have to set the level of play to our standard to where we need to be. We're 100% focused on us. We know this Friday from here on out that someone is coming to end your season. If anything, it makes us more conscientious of having earmuffs and having blinders on. Winnamac is going to do what they are going to do and we expect to perform and set the play at a level and keep that consistent for 48 minutes.
Ethan Hanson covers high school sports and Purdue women's basketball for the Journal & Courier in West Lafayette, Indiana. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHanson and ethan_a_hanson on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Central Catholic D-coordinator Gavin Breyfogle found home in Lafayette
