NEWPORT NEWS, VA. -- A long-time fixture on the sidelines for Apprentice School football, Paul Hoffmann was announced today as the new Head Football Coach at The Apprentice School by Director of Athletics Keisha Pexton.

“It was an easy decision to make. Paul Hoffmann is, hands down, the best fit to our football program,” said Pexton.  “His coaching experience and prior success at The Apprentice School speaks for itself.  We are happy to have him back on our sidelines and we look forward to the success of Builder football under his leadership.”

Hoffmann, who  has served as an Assistant Coach three times, was the Head Coach of the Builders from 1990-97 during one of their most successful eras.  His teams won 31 games including a pair of consecutive six-win seasons in 1992 and 1993.  In 1993, a team that finished 6-2-1, they won their final six games and scored 292 points which is the second highest total in school history.

“It’s easy to come back to a school and a program you care so much about when you’re surrounded by a ton of support as we have here,” said Hoffmann.  “From Everett Jordan, Director of the Apprentice School, to Athletic Director Keisha Pexton, to Manager of Student Services Phil Janaro, to my former Defensive Coordinator and now Associate Athletic Director Mark Tomlin, they’ve all pledged their total support.”

A native of Norfolk, VA, Hoffmann served as an Assistant Coach twice after his head coaching stint.   He first coached under Janaro in 1987 serving as his defensive coordinator and then again when Janaro returned from 2002-2007.  During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, he served as the Special Teams Coordinator.  Through his coaching tenure at The Apprentice School, he has had a hand in nearly 80 Builder victories.

A coaching resource that Hoffmann plans to have available for his players, current and future, are the vast amount of former football alumni that have used The Apprentice School to not only further their education but establish a successful career.  “We are blessed to have so many alumni that have gone on to have successful careers within the company. From Tomlin, to Travis Reid, to Jermaine Bellamy, to Tommy Schuster and Herb Fields, Strength Coach at The Apprentice School, to name a few, each have demonstrated success as an athlete and how it can parlay into a leadership role with the company,” he said.  “These types of role models will help keep the players focused on the purpose of their education here at The Apprentice School.”

Hoffmann was a 1981 graduate of The College of William & Mary where he was a standout offensive tackle in his playing days.  He served as a graduate assistant coach at the school prior to coming back to the Builders in 1990.

The Apprentice School provides high quality, comprehensive four and five-year apprentice programs for students interested in shipbuilding careers. Since 1919, the school's programs have produced over 9,000 graduates in support of the operational needs of Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va.  For additional information on the school, visit www.apprenticeschool.com.   For additional information on the athletic program, visit www.gobuilders.com.

Long time defensive coach Don McCaulley returns to the Builder sidelines as defensive coordinator and secondary coach for Paul Hoffmann.

He is no stranger to the sidelines for the Apprentice School as he’s served as the defensive coordinator under Paul Hoffmann (1993-95) and Phil Janaro (2004-06).  McCaulley has coached for nearly 50 years at numerous schools across the United States (Richmond, Washington & Lee, Utah, Weber State, VMI) and had a stint coaching in Italy.

When not in football season, McCaulley and his wife Peggy reside in Buena Vista.

Rameriz Crumbley is a 2009 graduate and former Apprentice School football player who rejoins the coaching staff for the 2012 season.  During his four years with the football team, Crumbley played quarterback and wide receiver and was awarded the school’s Gold Athletic Award in 2007.  Following his football career, he continued with the team as an Assistant Offensive Coach from 2008 to 2009.  He returns this year to fill his previous coaching position; bringing with him tremendous experience and knowledge to both the program’s coaching staff and its players.

Currently, Crumbley works on the Nimitz Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier as a combat system’s electrician; responsible for the installation and testing of the fiber optic cable network systems.  He has been awarded with “Outstanding Electrical Performance” in June of 2008 and the “Product Delivery and Increased Customer Satisfactory Award” in May of 2009 for his superior job performance in the refueling and overhaul of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). 

Darren Jackson begins his first season in 2012 as the Linebackers Coach and Game Film Exchange Coordinator under Paul Hoffmann.  He joins the staff after serving as the Special Team Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Virginia last year.

Jackson played defensive back at both Liberty University and Ferrum College and won a Big South Conference championship at Liberty and graduated from Liberty earlier this year.

He resides in Gloucester, Va. with his wife Tina.

Chris Bryans a 2007 graduate, former Builder football player and R.W. Phillips award winner for The Apprentice School, has returned to the Builders football program as an Assistant Defensive Coach and team academic advisor for the 2012 season.

As a native of Upstate NY, Bryans played high school football for the Shenendehowa Plainsmen and shortly after graduating in 1995 he served in the U.S. Army as a watercraft operator stationed at Ft. Eustis, Va.  During his service he performed counter narcotic operations in the Caribbean in joint service efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Currently, Bryans works in the E63 Carrier Overhaul program as an electrical designer; with his primary duties focused on combat system power design for the Nimitz Class Nuclear Aircraft Carriers.  He is a 2012 graduate of Old Dominion University with a BS in Industrial Technology and a minor in management and resides in Yorktown, Va with his wife Karen and two daughters Kathryn and Allison.

Penn Stephenson begins his first season in 2012 as offensive line coach under Paul Hoffmann after serving as an offensive assistant at the University of Richmond during the 2011 season.  A four year member of the Hampden-Sydney College football team, Stephenson was a player on two Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championship teams.  “We are very excited to add Coach Stephenson to our staff,” said Hoffmann.  “He has a great reputation in our area and brings young energy and ideas to our program.”

Coaching Experience:

Apprentice School (Offensive Line Coach): 2012

University of Richmond (Offensive Assistant): 2011-2012

Mills Godwin High School (Assistant Offensive & Defensive Line Coach): 2010-2011

Position: Offensive Line Coach

Hometown: Seaford, Va

Alma Mater: Hampden-Sydney College

Graduating Year: 2010

Experience: 3 Years

Recruiting Area: Richmond & Western Virginia, Georgia

Sam Daniels begins his first season in 2012 as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator under Paul Hoffmann after spending one season as the defensive line coach and assistant defensive coordinator at Woodrow Wilson High School.  

A five-year member of the James Madison University football team, Daniels earned All-Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) & All-American honors twice during his playing career.

“Adding Coach Daniels to our staff is a great victory,” said Hoffman.  “He oversees all of our high school recruitment and allows myself and the entire staff to find players who are perfect fits for the Apprentice School.”

Coaching Experience:

Woodrow Wilson High School Defensive (Line Coach & Assistant Defensive Coordinator): 2011