news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- Martin Samek has always hoped for chance at being a head coach. Grimsley is hoping he's the one they've been waiting for.

The Whirlies introduced Samek, most recently an assistant at East Forsyth, as their new head coach Friday.

"It just felt right," said Samek, 38, who played strong safety at Division II California University of Pennsylvania and spent four years in the Coast Guard. "There are very few jobs where, at the end of the week, you can see your work pay off; see the ups and down, the emotion, watch 11 kids work for one common goal."

Samek, a 14-year coaching veteran who migrated here from the Pittsburgh area about a decade ago, spent five season as an assistant at Mount Tabor before joining Todd Willert at East Forsyth last year.

A defensive specialist who employs a 3-5 system, Samek helped the 12-2 Eagles limit opponents to 15.5 points a game, more than a touchdown better than the Whirlies.

Samek said about 15 people interviewed for the position, which came open when Mark Saunders resigned in December after going 3-8 in his second season.

Samek said he'd be open to bringing back the remaining assistants under the right circumstances.

"I want to be the dumbest guy on my staff," he said.