News

Gash going from Bearcats to Bearkittens

By Molly McGowan Gorsuch, Published: November 13, 2019

After the holiday break, Eric Gash will retire his Bearcats jersey and begin a new coaching career: leading the Bearkittens as Bruce Drysdale Elementary’s new principal.

Currently assistant principal and athletic director at Hendersonville High School, Gash will serve as Bruce Drysdale’s new principal effective Jan. 6. Gash will be filling the office vacated by BJ Laughter, who is retiring after 28 years with Henderson County public schools.

“Mr. Gash is an exceptional school administrator and a truly dedicated community leader,” said Superintendent Bo Caldwell. “I am confident that he will be an inspirational and motivating school leader for the Bruce Drysdale community. Quite simply, he will be a champion for his students, his staff, and the greater Bruce Drysdale school family.”

A 1988 HHS graduate, Gash attended UNC on a football scholarship, playing linebacker for four years for the Tar Heels. He joined Hendersonville High in 2008 as a part-time teacher assistant, substitute teacher and linebackers coach for the Bearcats, then became a full-time math teacher in 2009. From 2009 to 2014, he was an assistant football coach for the Bearcats, and also coached girls varsity basketball from 2012 to 2015. In 2014, Gash was named HHS head football coach and became assistant principal and athletic director two years later.

Gash holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from UNC, and a masters degree in school leadership from Gardner-Webb University.