A former Hillsdale College football player has returned to campus, joining the coaching staff while continuing a long family tradition of donning the blue and white.

Colby Lufkin, a 2017 graduate of Hillsdale, has come back to the team he played for from 2012-17, this time in the role of Director of Football Operations. He began in his role just prior to the start of the 2019 campaign.

As Director of Football Operations, Lufkin oversees a myriad of duties on the Charger staff, from video coordinator to being the point-person for all equipment needs for the program. He also acts as Hillsdale's wide receivers coach. Lufkin graduated from Hillsdale in May 2017 with a major in physical education.

After graduating from Hillsdale, Lufkin enrolled in grad school at Georgetown University. In August 2019, he completed his master’s of professional studies in sports industry management. While finishing his education, he stayed busy in the sport of football, working for the Washington Football Team, where he served as a community and charitable programs intern. While there, he was in charge of Redskins FITT, a program designed to partner players from the Washington Football Team with kids in the DC area in physical activities.

He then worked for several months at the Catholic University of America as a football operations intern. Finally, he joined the Georgetown football program, working as a defensive graduate assistant. He picked up more experience breaking down game film, assisting with weekly game planning and helping to coach the defensive line.

Lufkin’s great-grandfather, Lawrence Plym, was an avid supporter of Hillsdale College and appears on a plaque inside the George Roche Sports Complex. Lufkin’s grandfather, Eric Plym, is a 1963 graduate of the college.

“I have great memories of coming to Hillsdale with my grandparents when I was a kid,” Lufkin said. “So when coach Otter recruited me to play here, it was a no-brainer. I am thrilled to be back at Hillsdale College.”