Gainesville High hires former local football star

Head coach Dock Pollard and the Gainesville High School Hurricanes have announced the hiring of Harold “Gator” Hoskins to the 2021 coaching staff. Coach Hoskins will be the Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator this upcoming football season.

“Harold ‘Gator’ Hoskins is a huge addition to the staff,” Pollard said. “He’s a hometown legend who had a huge career at Marshall.”

A player and graduate of Eastside High School, Coach Hoskins was a two-time all-state quarterback for the Rams. He was responsible for over 3,600 yards and 47 touchdowns during his Eastside career.  

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As a collegiate athlete, he played tight end for Marshall University from 2009-2013. He finished his career at Marshall with 99 receptions for 1,318 yards and 28 total touchdowns, the third most in Marshall history. 

Hoskins, who was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award (given to the nation’s best college tight end), also played for a short time in the NFL. 

He has been teaching and coaching in Gainesville for the last five years. He was named the 2020 teacher of the year for Lincoln Middle School, where he currently teaches math. 

“He’s an educator and forward-thinker, but I’m most impressed by his character and humility,” Pollard said. “He checks off all the boxes and will do great things at Gainesville High School.”

Hoskins is also very active in the local Gainesville community.

“I’m so excited to join GHS and this coaching staff,” said Coach Hoskins. “I think this is a perfect fit and we have an opportunity to do some great things this year at GHS.”

This past season, in Pollard’s first season as head coach, Gainesville only played six games in 2020 due to COVID-19. 

The ‘Canes finished with a record of 2-4, including a 24-21 loss to Mainland (Daytona Beach) in the Class 6A state playoffs.

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