Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Former Steeler Jason Gildon and now the defensive line coach at Peters Township, right, said the player's reaction to him as a coach was pretty positive.

"A lot of guys were excited so that made me excited as well," Gildon said. "It was a positive reception.”

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon surveys the field while looking at techniques used by the defensive line players.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon played linebacker for the Steelers from 1993-2003.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Official practice for the 2011-12 season begins Aug. 15 for Peters Township.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters players took the field Aug. 4 for a summer workout.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters Township prepares for the upcoming season.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

The Indians take a water break during practice on Aug. 4. Senior Clayton Evans said he was in lacrosse season when he heard former Pittsburgh Steeler Jason Gildon would join the Indian's coaching staff.

"I wanted to play football right then and there,” said Evans, a defensive end and guard. “I grew up watching him, and I love the Steelers. That was really cool.”

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

First-year Peters Township head coach, Rick Piccinini, wearing black, overlooks practice. Piccinini has worked worked on staffs at Seneca Valley, Sto-Rox, Keystone Oaks and Upper St. Clair.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Piccinini gathers his players around him at the end of practice.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Former Steeler Jason Gildon and Peters Township head coach Rich Piccinini instruct players at practice.

"Jason fits in well, and I think he’ll be here for a long time with us," Piccinini said.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Piccinini, wearing black, said Gildon gets involved with practice.

"(Gildon) has even been in a couple drills where he’s reenacted being the other team’s defense," Piccinini said. "He drops into some coverage sometimes. The kids really enjoy when he does stuff like that.”

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters head coach Rich Piccinini talks with his players after a workout on Aug. 4. Piccinini said he didn't break the news to his players when he hired Gildon.

“The day he came down to interview, we were in the weight room and I walked the kids around, and (Gildon) came in," said Piccinini. "Instantly my kids, the kids in the other sports, some of the other adults in the school, suddenly they were all around. Everyone wanted to get a view at the Steeler Jason Gildon."

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters Township head coach Rich Piccinini

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Practice at Peters Township on Aug. 4

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

The Indians worked on one-on-one coverage during a summer workout in August.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

The Indians were excited about the addition of Jason Gildon.

“I was in baseball season when coach Pic hired coach Gildon,” senior running back and safety Andrew Erenberg said. “I saw him in the weight room and I mean obviously he’s a lot bigger than most people so I was like, ‘Who’s that guy?’ "

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters football players

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon, the defensive line coach at Peters, uses his 11-year NFL experience to teach the line on Aug. 4.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon, originally from Oklahoma, has lived in Pittsburgh with his family since 1994. He is a Wexford resident.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon said his reason for coaching at Peters is wanting to get back into football.

"I love football, and I think being out of it as long as I’ve been, I felt it was time for me to get back in and I think at this level, the high school level, is perfect for me right now with the time schedule, not being this hectic, more of a light schedule," Gildon said.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon overlooks the defense.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon said he sees a little bit of himself in a few of the Peters football players.

"We have some guys that I think, with the right motivation, right coaching, can be very successful at this level," he said.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

After 10 season with the Steelers, Gildon ended his playing career after one year with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon said his main goal as a coach is to make players better than they were when the season began.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Gildon at a summer workout.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters Township football field

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

The defensive line

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters Township

Jason Gildon Named Defensive Line Coach At Peters Township

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters Township Indians

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

The Peters Township football field, home of the Indians.

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

Peters Township High School

Former Steeler Jason Gildon Added To Peters Township Football Coaching Staff

(Photo Credit: KDKA Web Intern Christine Newby)

The Peters Township Indians went 5-5 during the 2010-11 season in WPIAL Class AAAA under head coach Nick Milchovich. Rich Piccinini begins his first year as the Peters Township head coach for the 2011-12 season.