Bob Hoffman
Alma Mater: Oklahoma Baptist
University (1979)
Family: Wife – Kelli, Son – Grant
coaching career:
- Southern Nazarene University
(Women, 1987-90)
- Oklahoma Baptist University (1990-99)
- University of Texas-Pan American
(1999-2004)
- University of Oklahoma
(Assistant, 2004-06)
- Arkansas Aeros (ABA, 2006-07)
- Rio Grande Valley Vipers
(NBA D-League, 2007-08)
- Mercer University (2008-Present)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7
FCA: What’s one important thing you’ve learned in 25 years of coaching?
BH: That the fundamentals of the game don’t change from level to level; it’s the players’ abilities to perform those fundamentals that do. But the one constant with players of every level is their desire to get better. They want to learn the game. My task is to push the right buttons to get the most out of them in everything we do.
I became a coach years ago because I wanted to make a difference in peoples’ lives, and the Lord has opened many doors for me to be able to do that. I’ve enjoyed getting to know my players and assistants beyond the court because the wins and losses come and go, but the relationships last.
FCA: What moments stand out to you from your career?
BH: Winning the 1989 Women’s NAIA National Championship at Southern Nazarene was an amazing accomplishment. Those ladies were representing a program that had experienced minimal success, but they believed in and relied on each other and accomplished something fantastic.
I also coached the men’s team at Oklahoma Baptist to a couple of NAIA National Championship games. Both Southern Nazarene and OBU were great schools focused on the right things, just like Mercer University is today. Each was founded on Christian principles, and that gave me opportunities to talk about both basketball and the Lord. To me, that’s as good as it gets.
FCA: With Mercer being a mid-major program, how do you prepare your team to face tough non-conference competition?
BH: It’s important to have the mindset that, no matter what team we’re playing or where, it’s still just a basketball game. If we do our best to prepare and execute, we’ll have a chance to win. From opponent to opponent, we try to keep our preparation the same so that when we walk on the floor our guys have confidence. And I’ve always believed that preparation leads to confidence, and confidence leads to championships.
FCA: Do you see coaching as a ministry?
BH: No doubt about it. I believe all Christians are called to serve and that we all have a ministry. I know who is in charge, and I know whom to credit in every situation.
FCA: How has FCA been a part of your life?
BH: FCA is a huge part of who I am. I was an FCA officer in high school, and I went to camp in Estes Park, Colo. That experience allowed me to observe college athletes who were really walking with the Lord and making a difference on their campuses.
I’ve also served on FCA boards in the past and continue to do so with (FCA’s) Scott Adams. I want to do anything I can to give athletes the chance to be exposed to the gospel. Scott—and everyone involved with FCA along my path—has been a true blessing to me.
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FCA Staff Quote:
"Coach Hoffman is an incredible role model for his players. He opens his home for FCA meetings and has been on our board since he came to Mercer [in 2008]. He ministers to me in so many different ways that I sometimes feel like our roles are reversed."
- Scott Adams
Area Director, Middle Georgia FCA
Originally Published: March 2012
Photos courtesy of Mercer Sports Information