by: Andy Villamarzo • 27 minutes ago • Andy_Villamarzo
Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston (92) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
William Gholston was once the longest tenured player outside of veteran linebacker Lavonte David for the 2-time Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After months of speculation whether he would be returning for a 13th season as a Buccaneer, Sickles High School out of Tampa might’ve potentially answered the question.
The Gryphons’ official football Instagram page announced over a week ago that Gholston would be joining the program’s varsity coaching staff for the 2025 season as the team’s defensive line coach. Gholston confirmed with Rivals Saturday morning that he’s a volunteer assistant coach at Sickles.
Gholston didn’t rejoin the Buccaneers last season until early August, signing on for his 12th season and helping Tampa Bay win a fourth consecutive NFC South championship. Currently, Gholston is not listed on the Buccaneers’ active roster as of writing.
“Each year I’ve been in the league, I try to cherish it like it’s my last,” Gholston said in a press conference after the 2024 season ended. “It’s a short career usually for guys. Being able to play a playoff game in my home city was huge.”
Gholston was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay as the No. 126 pick. Over the course of his 12 seasons in the NFL, Gholston collected 428 total tackles, 265 of them being solo and 19.5 sacks.