Former NFL player takes reins

Jamie Gartman, Contributing Writer
August 24, 2008

SALEM greyhounds |

Like most programs in the state, the Salem Greyhounds football team has seen its share of peaks and valleys. In the midst of a three-year playoff drought, the school has hired a coach who has been to the football pinnacle.

Sam Weir, who played for the Houston Oilers and New York Jets, enters his first season as the Greyhounds coach after a 12-year coaching hiatus.

"I've had the itch for about two years," said Weir, who last coached at Walnut Ridge in 1996. "I'm really excited to be doing it again."

Salem is coming off a season in which they won just one game and finished seventh in the 3A-2 conference.

The Greyhounds move down to the 2A-3 conference this season, and that has given them reason for optimism. One coaches' poll has them picked fifth in the league.

"If we can stay healthy, I think we can compete and get this thing going," Weir said. "Our goal is to win them all, but I'd love to make the playoffs."

Weir will rely on a quick but young group of players.

The Greyhounds have only five seniors and will start only four. A host of juniors will play a large role in the 2008 season.