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A.J. Gass always had the pedal to the metal as an Edmonton Eskimos linebacker.

It’s how he earned four Canadian Football League all-star awards on the way to helping the club earn two Grey Cups over his 10-year career.

But it turns out he was in no hurry when it came to getting his coaching career started.

“I talked with Hugh Campbell after one of my knee surgeries and he said, ‘Coaching might be the way you want to go,’” said Gass, now back with his old club as its new special-teams co-ordinator. “I think of all the advice I turned down, that was probably the best because I won two championships after that and played another six seasons.

“So, just being around those type of coaches, the Don Matthews, the Tom Higgins, Rich Stubler — I could go on and on — Rick Campbell.

“Those guys have been very good mentors and guys to look up to as far as getting a career.”

And let’s not forget Eskimos current head coach Jason Maas, whom Gass played six seasons with out of the home locker room of Commonwealth Stadium from 2000-05, including those two Grey Cup years.