Sayville brings back Rob Hoss as football coach
Rob Hoss led Golden Flashes to five LI Class III crowns. Credit: James Escher
Former Sayville football coach Rob Hoss again will take the reins for the Golden Flashes.
“We’re excited to have Rob Hoss back to lead the next chapter of our football program,” said Ryan Cox, the director of athletics for the Sayville School District. “He was a highly successful coach the first time around, and our program is looking forward to his transformational leadership style and continuing the traditional values that we have in our football program.”
Hoss takes over for Reade Sands, who retired after last season to spend more time with his wife and four sons. Sands led Sayville to eight playoff appearances in his eight seasons (2017-24), including four Suffolk Division III titles, a Long Island Class III crown in 2022 and three Rutgers Trophies (2020, 2022, 2024). His career record of 74-11 includes a 22-game winning streak spanning the 2022-23 seasons.
Hoss, 51, led the Golden Flashes to five Long Island Class III crowns in 15 years.
“Super-excited to get back to work and help our kids grow on and off the field,” Hoss told Newsday via text message. “Very honored to be able to come back and lead a program that means so much to me and the Sayville community.”
When he was the head coach the first time from 2002-16, Hoss led the Golden Flashes to 10 appearances in the Suffolk III championship game, winning eight titles. His .818 winning percentage ranks second in Suffolk history (to Lou Howard, Amityville, .835). His career record is 130-29, including undefeated seasons in 2004, 2011 and 2015. In his final season in 2016, the Golden Flashes were led by Hansen Award-winning quarterback Jack Coan as Sayville went 10-1 and lost to East Islip, 42-35, in the Suffolk III final.
Hoss, who originally retired in January 2017 to spend more time with his wife and three children, served as Sayville’s offensive coordinator for the past five years.
“Coach Hoss prioritizes mentorship, leadership and the development of young athletes,” Cox said. “He’s a true role model who has instilled values of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance in his players, many of whom have gone on to successful careers, some even returning to coach at Sayville.”
Hoss also is a social studies teacher and social studies chairman for the district and will remain in his teaching and administrative positions.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
