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By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

DEARBORN - When he looked back on how it all played out, he couldn't help but smile.

He's been recognized since rejoining the outside world, but this was something different.

This was something he'll never forget.

With just minutes remaining in Orchard Lake St. Mary's week-five victory against Birmingham Brother Rice Sept. 27, St. Mary's assistant coach Dan Gheesling left the press box to join his team on the field.

As soon as the student section saw him, the chants began.

"Gheesling! Gheesling! Gheesling!"

When he acknowledged the fans with a wave, the chants grew louder.

Becoming a celebrity
Before the start of summer, Dan Gheesling was a popular name on the St. Mary's campus, thanks in large part to his role on the coaching staff and his duties as a freshman biology, health and physical education teacher.

But after a three-month appearance on the CBS reality show "Big Brother," Gheesling is now a household name across the country.

From the beginning of July until midway through September, Gheesling formed alliances, broke alliances, schemed, planned and ultimately outlasted 12 housemates in a game that featured weekly eliminations and a grand prize of $500,000.

In the season's first show, he was portrayed as a conservative Catholic school teacher who didn't seem to have a chance to last on the show past the first few weeks.

By season's end, however, he was being hailed as the best player in the show's 10-year history.

"It took some planning and a lot of good luck," Gheesling, a Dearborn resident and 2001 graduate of Divine Child, said last week when asked about his victory.

Plenty of support
Gheesling admitted that there was plenty of hesitation on his part before joining the show.

"The one thing I never wanted to do was lose the respect of my students, the St. Mary's community, and especially, my job," Gheesling explained. "Winning $500,000 wasn't worth losing the job I love. I was more than content with the life I was leading."

So before heading to California, Gheesling met with administrators at St. Mary's, explained the game and what it would entail.

"When I talked to everyone and found that I had the support of Chancellor (Timothy) Whalen, Monsignor (Stanley) Milewski, Headmaster (Jim) Glowacki and Coach (George) Porritt, I knew this was something I had to do," Gheesling said. "I knew I had to represent myself and my faith in a way I could be proud of. … At the same time, I knew the producers and editors could portray me in any way they saw fit."

While Gheesling had full support from those within the St. Mary's family, feelings were mixed from the outside. Glowacki said the school received hundreds of complaints regarding Gheesling's decision. Still, as Glowacki pointed out, "for every complaint or concern we got, we had an equal number of people throwing their support at Dan."

"We understood what he was getting himself into," Glowacki added. "We, as Catholics, had to look at it this way - if you're playing poker, is it a sin to bluff?

"Dan was playing a game, and we knew he'd be required to make moves under the guise of that game to be successful."

Returning to St. Mary's
Gheesling returned home a couple of weeks ago with the intention of heading back to work at St. Mary's.

"Getting back to everyday life has been a little harder than I thought," he admitted. "I was so mentally tough and determined for three months, it's taken me some time to unwind."

Glowacki advised Gheesling to wait until the next card-marking period, which is in about three weeks, before he resumes teaching.

"It's best for the students," Glowacki said. "They've had a sub who has done a tremendous job. While I know they are anxious to see Dan, for the flow of their schedule, we thought it best to wait a little longer."

"I'm really looking forward to getting back in the classroom," Gheesling said. "I've missed teaching the kids. I look forward to explaining why I did some of the things I did in the context of the game."

As far as football is concerned, Gheesling was anxious to get back, and his team couldn't wait to have him.

"I know he felt like he may be a distraction or something, but we wanted him back right away," Porritt said. "Dan's an excellent coach who gives us a great advantage. I know the kids were anxious to get him back as well."

Back to normal
Gheesling admitted that he's still adjusting to life back home. He gets stopped a couple of times a day by fans who recognize him, and even a mother or two who want an autograph for their daughters.

But football, he said, has helped keep him grounded.

"Being around the kids, the game, has helped me forget about the craziness of the past few months," he said. "It's great to be back. It's a great reminder of exactly what I want to do with my life."

For now, he's taking everything in stride, enjoying every moment he can while the spotlight remains bright. He signs autographs, waves at fans, and even smiles when his name is cheered.

Especially when, as was the case Sept. 27, it's the opposing team's student section doing the cheering.