When USF football holds its "Salute to Service'' game Thursday night as the Bulls take on the UTSA Roadrunners at Raymond James Stadium — when military service members, first responders and community service are leaders are recognized, patriotic songs are played and fans offer their appreciation — it's more than an annual spectacle to be absorbed, then packed away and forgotten. 

For several USF players and staff members, it's a way of life.

For U.S. Army veteran Dave Gotsch — USF's assistant special-teams coach known to all as "Army Dave'' — it's a reminder that his nine years of service really mattered.

"It's a really cool time to reflect and connect the two lives that I've lived,'' Gotsch said. "It's a time to remember all the friends I've had who served in wars, the ones who never came home, and the others who came home with a lot of difficulties in their lives. I think it's a beautiful time to remember all the sacrifices that have been made.''

For freshman wide receiver Christian Neptune and senior tight end Wyatt Sullivan, each with parents who are active military members, it's an affirmation that their lives have been greatly influenced by the concepts of discipline, sacrifice and service to others.

"I have a strong connection to the people who put their lives on the line for us all every day,'' Neptune said. "That's worth remembering. That's worth recognizing.''

"I've grown up respecting the military and how important that is to our freedom,'' Sullivan said. "I don't know how many people think deeply about that, but it's always there. And it's something that we should all be aware of and have a great appreciation for.''

Neptune, whose father Anthony Neptune Sr., is a Chief Warrant Officer with the U.S. Navy who is stationed outside Washington, D.C. Neptune said his father's influence "made me that man I am today.''

Neptune's father, originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, was stationed in Hawaii when he met Neptune's mother. Neptune lived in Hawaii until the summer before his eighth-grade year, when he moved to Florida's Panhandle.

"My dad is obviously a stricter parent, so whether it's learning right from wrong, saying 'yes sir' and 'no sir,' or just trying to constantly better myself so I can live a good life, it has all made an impact,'' Neptune said. "It's funny, but you can almost pick out a kid who grew up in a military household. You notice the mannerisms and the characteristics. There are sacrifices you must make, but in the long run, it's all very beneficial.'' 

Sullivan, whose mother Dr. Regina Sullivan is a Lieutenant Commander with the U.S. Air Force and Deputy Branch Chief for the Center for Disease Control's Population Health Surveillance Branch, said the military lifestyle has been a great influence on his daily habits. 

"My mother was always big on me living up to my responsibilities, keeping my word, not making excuses, just very no-nonsense about everything,'' Sullivan said. "I remember growing up she used to leave for Air Force drills like for two weeks out of every month, so that was a sacrifice, but I knew she was serving our country. 

"I think it's great that the military will be recognized at this game. I've seen the uniforms that USF teams have worn in the past and it will be an honor for me to put them on this time. The best part of all is seeing my mom get honored. She comes to the games, so it will be a special moment for her and for me.''

 

Lots Of USF Connections

There are several other USF players with military ties.

With all on active duty, offensive lineman Gerrick Gordon Jr., has a cousin who's an Air Force staff sergeant, linebacker DJ McCormick Jr., has a cousin who's an Army corporal, and safety Jabari Smith has an older brother who's an Army private.

Quarterback Byrum Brown had a great-grandfather in the Navy, a grandfather in the Army and a great uncle in the Marine Corps — all retired — plus an uncle who was deployed with the Air Force to Saudi Arabia and Operation Desert Shield and a cousin who is an active Marine Sergeant.

 

Meanwhile, in the retired ranks, center Cole Best's step-grandfather was an Army major, offensive lineman Caleb Harris' grandfather was a Marine Corps major, offensive lineman Zane Herring's great uncle was in the Army, defensive tackle Ryan Jenkins' grandfather was a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, wide receiver Kory Pettigrew's father was an Air Force technical sergeant, defensive end Eli Jones' grandfather was an Army lieutenant colonel, offensive lineman TJ Lawrence's stepfather was an Air Force master sergeant and running back Connor Matthews' father was an Air Force lieutenant colonel.

But it's Gotsch — or the omnipresent "Army Dave'' — who has the most tangible link between USF football and the military.

Gotsch, a classmate of former USF offensive lineman Thor Jozwiak at Lake Region High School, followed Bulls' football avidly while growing up in Polk County. He tried college for a while, then decided the military was his true calling.

Gotsch, who rose to staff sergeant, was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., before joining the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., then the 4/25 arctic-based Infantry Division at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. He was never deployed, but learned how to jump out of airplanes and served as a jump-master before leaving the Army in 2022 with a medical discharge due to a back injury.

What next? Gotsch always dreamed of working in football, maybe in an NFL front office, so he began with high-school coaching in Polk County while also taking classes at USF.

In 2023, Gotsch attended a Nike Coach of the Year clinic in Orlando, where newly hired USF head coach Alex Golesh was speaking. Golesh, of course, was swarmed afterward with coaches from all around, some who wanted to talk ball, others who were seeking jobs.

Gotsch said he knew better than to join that scrum. 

Instead, he introduced himself to the first person he saw wearing a USF polo shirt. 

"I want to coach college ball,'' Gotsch told him. "I just need an opportunity and I'll earn my keep. I'll start off as a janitor. I'll be the best janitor you got and I'll show you how I can work. You won't regret it.'' 

The USF person was Andrew Warsaw, chief of staff for Bulls' football, who was impressed enough to ask for his resume. After spring ball, Gotsch secured an interview and hooked on, working with the receivers.

 

Army Dave? The Name Stuck

One day, Gotsch's on-field work caught the eye of Golesh. 

"Who's that?'' Golesh asked an assistant. 

"That's the new guy, Dave Gotsch. He was in the Army.''

So, to Golesh, he was immediately "Army Dave.''

"I'm 'Army Dave' to everyone around here,'' Gotsch said with a laugh. "Most people here don't know my last name. Coach Golesh is a phenomenal human and a phenomenal head coach. We have so many real-life talks. I just have tremendous respect for him.

"Everyone here at USF has been so good to me from the beginning. I'm where my feet are. I'm happy where I'm at. I show up every day and try to be the best version of myself, so these kids can be the best version of themselves. I'm not sure where life's going to go, but I know there's a plan for me.'' 

Gotsch said he notices constant parallels between football coaching and military training.

"The routines, the discipline, the teamwork, the chain of command … it's all very similar,'' Gotsch said. "We had a saying, especially in infantry, that the enemy was training today to kill you. So, what did you do today?

"That was a constant reminder that every day somebody's working to be better, and that's no different than what we preach here. Instead of beating you on a battlefield, somebody's working to beat you on a football field. What have you accomplished today? That routine, that mindset, the long hours, it's what I dealt with my entire military career.''

Thursday night, Gotsch will be focused on making USF's special teams the best they can be. 

But at least for a moment, amid the patriotic backdrop of USF's "Salute To Service'' game, he can reminisce about his former military life and the sacrifices that were made, while appreciating the men and women who continue to serve.

"I love that people are recognizing the military,'' said Gotsch, who is married with two children. "It's a life that not everyone is willing to live. It can be a dark and thankless world at times. You carry that and walk with it forever. So, whether it's at a football game, a baseball game or the grocery store, when someone goes out of their way to sincerely thank you for the service and the sacrifices, believe me, that means a lot.''

–#GoBulls–