http://www.hendersonvillenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070215/NEWS/702150330/1008/NEWS Former Hendersonville High football standout Sam Gash will now call the Motor City his home, thanks to the Detroit Lions organization and head coach Rod Marinelli. On Jan. 31, Marinelli announced he had snatched away Gash from the New York Jets and hired him as the Lions' assistant special teams coach. Gash, who had a 12-year playing career in the NFL with the New England Patriots (1992-97), the Buffalo Bills (1998-99, 2003) and the Baltimore Ravens (2000-02), officially started the job Feb. 1. On Wednesday, he and his family were driving around the Detroit area, looking at houses. "We're getting ready to make the move from New York. This was just a great opportunity for me," Gash said. "The position that I had with the Jets for the past two years, they wanted to give it to a younger coach. One of the coaches I worked with, Mike Westhoff, called around for all the openings. He was instrumental in me getting this job. There were about three or four other guys I talked with, but I ended up settling with Detroit. Everything was right about it, and the cost of living was a lot better than that of New York." Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Gash, 37, was deemed one of the most physical blocking fullbacks in the NFL during his career and was named to two Pro Bowls in 1999 and 2000. His selection in 1999 was historic, because he became the first fullback ever selected to the Pro Bowl without a rushing attempt during the year. Gash said his style of play was learned back in the mid-1980s when he lined up at halfback at Hendersonville High for coach Phil Brintall. "That's where I learned my work ethic. I've talked to a lot of guys in the NFL, and a lot of the players said they would get days off and breaks all the time. We didn't. We practiced all the time, and that's why we had the success that we had. "I had Bobby Wilkins as my basketball coach, and man, he ran us to death. To get where I am at today, I owe it to my coaches that I had back then. I was fortunate to have great players around me and great coaches," Gash said. During his senior year, Gash led the Bearcats to the state quarterfinals, where they lost to Murphy. Current Hendersonville football coach B.J. Laughter was on that team and remembers that season very well. "We had a great year, and so did Murphy. That's when they had Carl Pickens. Sam went to the Shrine Bowl that year, and he's one of the few players who played both ways (offense and defense) at the Shrine Bowl. He was fullback and linebacker. You just don't see that anymore," Laughter said. Gash signed with Penn State out of high school and was the top fullback for the Nittany Lions his junior and senior years. The Patriots picked him in the eighth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. Gash hopes to bring his physical, confident style of play to the Lions and their special teams unit. Detroit ended 2006 with a disappointing 3-13 record, but Gash believes the Lions will be much improved in 2007. "I have a lot of faith and confidence that these guys will get better. Coach Marinelli is a great coach and has the team headed in the right direction. I believe you have to respect the game in order to play it well. I always tell my players that the NFL is going to be here long after you're gone, so you need to make your impact while you have the chance. Make them talk about you as long as you can," he said. Gash's family has been with him every step of the way. He and his wife, Alicia, have a daughter, Samantha, and four sons: Kolby, Elijah, Isaiah and Colby.
