Gary Gouse, one of our football players at St. Francis College in the 1970s, became an outstanding high school football coach for the Mustangs at Portage. He deserves to enjoy his retirement.


Gary Gouse retired after 29 seasons as the head coach of the Portage Mustangs
Photo: John Rucosky, The Tribune-Democrat

When Gary Gouse entered St. Francis College, he had brought with him some impressive credentials from his years as a running back with the Portage Mustangs. 

He had been a 1,000-yard rusher for Portage in his senior season and was a key cog in the Mustangs’ undefeated squad [10-0] in 1974. by 1975, he was excited to play college football. 

However, what I remember most about Gary is how he accepted the fact that he would have to play running back behind a better runner. Rather than quit or become despondent as some athletes would have done, he moved from tailback to unpack or blocking back position. He did well blocking for three years for Teddy Helsel, who ended his career with close to 4,000 yards rushing for the Red Flash. 

Teaching and coaching career

Gary had made no secrets that he wanted to teach and coach in high school after graduating from St. Francis, and he did that. He was an assistant coach for more than a decade at various levels before being named as the Mustangs' head coach in 1991. 

Portage has had a successful football tradition over the years going back to the two schools, Portage Township and Portage Borough, that joined after World War II. 

The Mustangs had been going through some tough times when Gary became head coach, but he won an unbelievable 72 percent of his games in the next 29 years, going 219-84. 

40 years in coaching

After submitting his resignation to the Portage school board in December, Gary told Mike Mastovich of the Tribune-Democrat that he thoroughly enjoyed his years on the sideline, but it was just time to move on in his life,

“This is my 40th year coaching in high school football and even some college at St. Francis. Ever since my wife and I have been married, I’ve coached. I’ve never been without it. We just want to spend more time with our grandkids. I want to start a new chapter in my life. I really look forward to watching them grow up."

Mike Mastovich, “Portage's Gouse retires after 29 seasons 
to spend time with family,” Tribune-Democrat, Dec. 5, 2019

According to Mike’s story, Gary’s best period of success occurred in the early 2000s,

His teams produced a 49-7 record from 2005 through 2009, including three straight seasons with 10 or more wins from 2007-09.

That three-year stretch included a 32-3 mark, with a 12-win season in 2008.

Mike Mastovich, Tribune-Democrat, Dec. 5, 2019


Gary is second from left, in black shirt, with two Portage and SF teammates, Tony Tomaselli [left] and Dave Shedlock [to his right] with college teammate, 
Whitey McCabe [on right] -- at 2019 reunion
Photo: J.D. Cavrich

Good head coaches have good assistant coaches

The Mustangs took a while to develop under Gouse, but one of the keys was some quality assistant coaches. 

Some of them were former players like Marty Slonac, who will replace Gary as head coach, and current athletic director, Jeremy Burkett. Long-time assistant Larry McCabe and Bill Corrente were also keys to the success. 

Best wishes to Gary and his wife, Colette, his high school sweetheart, who have been married for more than 40 years. They are the parents of two daughters and have five grandchildren. 

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