Bronco Football Adds Key Positions to its Staff

Photo Credit: Hastings College Athleticss

Hastings, NE – The Hastings College football team will have some new faces on the sideline in the fall of 2024.

Jeff Tomlin just retired as the head coach at Grand Island Senior High where he turned the Islander program into a powerhouse. GISH made the playoff in 19 of his 21 seasons winning 18 games and making it to the state finals once. The Islanders captured four district championships, six HAC championships and had a postseason qualification streak of 11. He led the Islanders to 13 quarter-final appearances, four semifinals, and one state final appearance. Tomlin will be coaching the defensive line for the Broncos.

Mike Dixon brings a wealth of experience on the offensive side of the ball as he spent time coaching with Matt Franzen at Doane in helping the Tigers to become nationally relevant while qualifying for the NAIA playoffs two separate times. Dixon will be coaching the outside receivers for the Broncos in 2024.

DJ Plautz comes to the Broncos after spending time coaching under Tomlin at GISH from 2015-23. Prior to that he was the offensive coordinator, running backs and quarterbacks coach at Gibbon from 2010-14. His experience as an inside wide receivers coach will help immensely on the offensive side of the ball.

Another addition to the staff is Josh Hafner as an analyst as he has spent the last 14 years in the IT field supporting a multitude of end-users and information systems and will be making his debut in the world of football in the fall of 2024.