Buffum set to coach Ridgefield basketball

Buffum, though, expects to be a Spudder coach, not just a Spudder teacher.

“Coaching doesn’t pay the bills. Teaching pays the bills,” Buffum said. “Coaching is a passion. Teaching is a passion, as well. But when you put them in the same place, it’s a little easier.”

Leaving Woodland is not easy, he said. Buffum led the Beavers to a 54-25 record in his three seasons, including a trip to the Class 2A state tournament in Yakima this winter.

“It had nothing to do with them,” Buffum said, referring to the Woodland athletes. “Woodland was good to me. I appreciate my time there.”

The feeling is mutual, according to Woodland’s athletic director.

“We hate to lose him. I appreciate everything he’s done for Woodland. But I understand,” Paul Huddleston said. “There are advantages to teaching where you coach. No hard feelings. … I wish him the best.”

Woodland was Buffum’s first head coaching job after 10 seasons as an assistant, including six at the college level.

Now he is looking forward to his next head coaching position.

“I hope to take what is already a good program and take it to the next step,” said Buffum, who will replace Nick Veyes, who resigned earlier this spring.

“Ridgefield is a blossoming community. There was a lot of success in sports this past year,” Buffum said, adding that he hopes that success is contagious in the years to come.