'Where I was most fulfilled was here.' Q&A with St. Joseph football coach Augie Hoffmann

Looking fit and trim (it’s the jujitsu), Augie Hoffmann, 42, is back in charge of the proud St. Joseph Regional football program. Hoffmann returns after four years away, working for three years as an assistant at Rutgers and one at Columbia.

Hoffmann was a success his first run as Green Knights coach, the hand-picked successor to Tony Karcich. There was intrigue surrounding his return and the process took several weeks. Would St. Joe’s want him back? Was he back for good?

NorthJersey.com Local Sports Columnist Darren Cooper hung out with Hoffmann and asked him about his past, his expectations and his future.

Why did you come back?

Hoffmann: You know I think the biggest thing having been gone and it’s crazy how fast four years goes, I have come to understand where I fit best. I really enjoyed my time at Rutgers. I learned a ton of football. I learned a lot about management and program management from Coach Schiano. I loved my time at Columbia. Columbia reminded me of the Big North in terms of those kids were all recruited by the same 3-4 schools

So it’s like versus like.

Hoffmann: Exactly. And they pick the place where they love the most and they have a ton of pride in their school. Coaching the tight ends at Columbia…they are some of my favorite players. I had two guys from Seton Hall Prep, one from Ridgewood, one from Ohio, I still talk to them, but in the end, I think where I was most happy always was being here….and where I was most fulfilled, was here.

Then why did you leave?

Hoffmann: Because I think there was a piece of me that said, if I don’t take the shot, am I going to regret it? I am a big what if guy, and it was really coming down to sitting there and saying, if I’m ever going to do this, right now is the time, [because] eventually these opportunities will go away. Having to choose between Rutgers and BC at the time and going with Coach Schiano and learning a ton and then going to Columbia and seeing the whole picture, I really wanted to sit back and say where am I going to be the most happy and best version of myself.

How important was your family and your sons in making the decision to come back here?

Hoffmann: My oldest son is seventh grade right now.

What position is he?

Hoffmann: He plays center (smiles). He was one of the biggest driving forces in coming back here. It was important to him. He wanted to come to St. Joe’s. I think there was a piece of him that wants to play for me. There’s a huge piece of me that wants to coach him and be in his life. That was a big piece.

In four years, what’s changed? Did your key card still work?

Hoffmann: No. (laughs) I didn’t even have a key card, it was all keys. Now it’s all key fobs. A lot has changed. Our administration has changed for the better. I think our President, Bob Fazio, has a tremendous vision for the school. Our enrollment numbers look like they are going up. Our advancement team is raising money more than we ever have. We have a clear vision and a clear leader and I am just really happy to be a part of that. It’s nice when you know the guy running the building is invested.

What did TK (Tony Karcich) say?

Hoffmann: Coach and I have been attached at the hip for the last three weeks. He was part of the interview process. He put me through it pretty good which is exactly what I needed and I think they needed to see my growth. Nobody knows me better than Coach [Karcich]. The beautiful thing is, and it probably took me being away to realize, is he is the fabric of St. Joe’s, and I am a piece of him. When he gave me the reins the first time, I think he felt strongly enough about me to do that, and not knowing whether I was ready.

So, how have you grown?

Hoffmann: Well, let me finish with this real quick. He’s going to be involved. We’re going to be side by side. Whatever he wants to be. The biggest thing is, is mentor. We have started watching tape together. It’s awesome to be back together. He’s got a lot of coaching left in him. I have been around a lot of coaches in the last few years, he’s up there with the best of them. He has plenty to give.

So how has Augie Hoffmann grown?

Hoffmann: I think organizationally is the biggest jump. Working for Coach Schiano, you’re forced to be as detailed as you possibly can be, and when you think you’re detailed, you still have to go further. I needed better time management skills. There are deadlines. Coach [Schiano] used to say they’re kicking the ball off at noon whether you’re ready or not. My football knowledge has grown, and I have learned how to run a program. I watched what he did. We would sit in meetings and he would say ‘put this in your head coaching book’ I have taken a lot of that with me.

In four years, a lot has changed in North Jersey athletics, the rules are different, transfer rules, and you can talk to any eighth grader you want and it’s not a crime. There’s NIL, and Bergen Catholic is in charge.

Hoffmann: Absolutely. Vito is a good friend of mine. Ronnie Carti is a great friend of mine. These are guys I can call up and be social. They do it the right way. I see how they run their program. There is a toughness there. They should be on top, because I know who is running it.

What is it going to take to bring them down?

Hoffmann: Just outwork them. There is no substitute for it. Bergen Catholic is on top. How do you beat them? You have to outwork them. I know how much work they have put in. It’s not going to be easy. It wasn’t easy the last time. I almost liken it to when I came back to high school football the first time and Don Bosco was on top. It wasn’t even close [then]. It’s closer now, but it was hard work. It was being out and meeting people and getting the right kids. There is only one way and it’s hard work.

Will you go back to the vintage Joe’s offensive philosophy?

Hoffmann: I think that is what everybody is expecting. I think, one thing having been in college for the last four years is it’s nice to win games 13-0, it’s a lot better to win them 35-0.

Is it almost like, we will run something that works and we can execute?

Hoffmann: Listen, we’re going to be physical at every position. We have always had great O-lines and great running backs, but really, it’s going to go through the quarterback. The quarterback has to drive this thing. We have to have the ability to change speeds. We have to go fast when we want to go fast. We have to be able to huddle when we want to huddle. I think you will see a multiple offensive look. You will see an exciting offense, but you will see the physicality and you’re going to see the run game be successful, and it’s just gonna look a little different. In the end, you have to throw the ball to score points and run the ball to win the game.

Do you have anything big on the schedule?

Hoffmann: We don’t. We don’t. There was a big travel game that was discussed and I have always thought the out-of-state scheduling, as good as the teams are, it’s always got to be the right game. In 2018, when we went down to play Heritage (FL), that was the right team to play anybody in the country. When 2019 when St. Frances came here, people said don’t play them, every defensive player they had went to Big Ten or SEC. Now we took the short end of the stick, but we would play anybody. Now, it would be negligent of me and say we will go play [anyone] I don’t know who we have. I am going through the tape and watching, but we have to make sure it’s the right fit.

What’s the deal with your staff?

Hoffmann: We are in the process of putting it together. J’vonne Parker…I have known him for a long time. He’s had a great business coaching defensive lineman. He’s played at the highest level. He and I agree philosophically in terms on a lot of things, in terms of development of kids. This will be the first time we have worked together. My guys have always gone to him. Just sitting down and talking to him, his passion for youth in football and teaching them the right way and obviously, his credibility, that to me was the most exciting thing, because we’re developing kids.

Is anybody going to stay?

Hoffmann: We are working through….people have reached out to me.  A lot of guys on the staff have reached out. I do have a direction where I want to go. Obviously, listen, there is a lot of history with me and a lot of guys. We’re just working through that now.

Last question, are you going to stay?

Hoffmann: 100 percent. 100 percent. My priorities are different. I think I understand who I am now more than ever. Listen, I loved my time in college. I had great relationships with those guys, but there is a difference in the difference that we make as coaches in high school that has always been important to me. Sometimes it takes getting fired to figuring that out. Sometimes it takes going to a different conference, or whatever the case may be, and things work out the way they are supposed to.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Q&A with St. Joseph NJ football coach Augie Hoffmann