2024 Look Ahead: Hot Springs Tigers

When Maximus Buckingham joined the Hot Springs staff prior to last season as an assistant coach overseeing the offensive and defensive lines, he thought he would remain in that job for a while considering Dennis Barnes was going into his first year as Tigers head coach.   But Barnes suddenly departed after just one year on the job to return to his high school alma mater in Missouri. Buckingham applied  for the head coaching job and was hired in   “When they posted the job, it was a no-brainer for me,” Buckingham told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “I submitted my application. I think they liked how mature I am for my age and how I'm still young. I connect pretty well with the players.”   Buckingham played college football for UTEP from 2017-2020, first as an offensive linemen and then as a defensive tackle. He graduated from UTEP in 2022 and soon thereafter got a call from Barnes about joining the Hot Springs staff. Within a short time, he found himself in Truth or Consequences.   “I have fallen in love with this place and the community,” said Buckingham, who is the fourth different head coach in four years for Hot Springs. “I have started coaching other sports besides football. I really want to dive into the athletic department here.”   Buckingham, who grew up in a military family and attended Organ Mountain High School in Las Cruces when he was a senior, taught at the local elementary school in 2023-24, but has now moved over to the high school in order to be closer to his players.   Buckingham takes over a Hot Springs program that hasn't posted a winning record since 2017.   “The moment I became the head coach, I met with the assistants and told them that I'm here to change the culture,” Buckingham said. “Hot Springs isn't known for football, but the only way we can change that is by changing the mind of the community.   “It starts with the mentality of the players and the coaches. We have to show the community that this isn't the same Tiger football they've watched for the past few years. I'm already seeing a difference.”   Buckingham said about 25-30 players have regularly shown up for summer workouts and weightlifting, double the number from a year ago when the Hot Springs roster was dominated by freshmen and sophomores.     Junior [player_tooltip player_id='854288' first='Tristan' last='Polanco'] will be the new starting quarterback after serving as the backup in 2023.     “Tristan is a phenomenal athlete,” Buckingham said. “He plays four different sports. He has stepped up his game throughout the summer. He has shown up every day. We're excited to see him take charge of our offense.”   The list of candidates to become the No. 1 RB for Hot Springs is lengthy, and no decisions have been made. Buckingham expects numerous players to join the program when school starts.   Last season's leading receiver, senior [player_tooltip player_id='615685' first='Ashton' last='Garcia'], returns but he suffered a knee injury towards the end of last season. He spent the summer rehabbing the knee and should be ready to go before district play starts. Like Polanco, Garcia is a superb athlete who plays multiple sports.”   “Ashton put on a show last season, even against the tougher teams,” Buckingham said. “We're excited to see him out there.”   Promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1155121' first='Billy' last='Baca'] is coming off a solid freshman campaign. Senior Hunter Montoya was an all-district defender in 2023 but he contributed as well as a receiver.   The offensive line was largely inexperienced last season, so Buckingham hopes the playing time proves valuable. Senior Branden Baca anchors the group. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1155335' first='Evan' last='Byers'] is extremely strong. He finished 3rd in his weight class (198 pounds) at the state powerlifting championships. Football savvy freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1827370' first='Dominic' last='Terrazas'], son of former Hot Springs head coach Daniel Terrazas (2012-21), could start along the OL.   Defensively, Polanco will lead the unit as a defensive back. Montoya will start at safety. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1613430' first='Zaiden' last='Baker'] is a promising newcomer at linebacker. He's also an up-and-coming powerlifter.   2024 HOT SPRINGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:   Aug. 22 at Tularosa (Thur., 7 p.m.)   Aug. 30 POJOAQUE VALLEY (7 p.m.)   Sept. 5 CAPITAN (Thur., 7 p.m.)   Sept. 13 THOREAU (7 p.m.)   Sept. 20 at Socorro (7 p.m.)*   Sept. 27 Bye   Oct. 4 at Hatch Valley (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 11 COBRE ( 7 p.m.)*   Oct. 18 DEXTER (7 p.m.)*   Oct. 25 NMMI (7 p.m.)*   Nov. 1 at Ruidoso (7 p.m.)*   * District 3A-3 Game

When Maximus Buckingham joined the Hot Springs staff prior to last season as an assistant coach overseeing the offensive and defensive lines, he thought he would remain in that job for a while considering Dennis Barnes was going into his first year as Tigers head coach.