Former Saint Louis School quarterback Jason Gesser is a Crusader again.

Only this time, it's in the Northwest.

Gesser, the winningest quarterback at Washington State, has been named head football coach for the Eastside Catholic Crusaders in Seattle, the Seattle Times reported.

It will be Gesser's first head-coaching position. He replaces longtime coach Bill Marsh, who resigned after 10 seasons with the Crusaders in March.

Gesser, 29, who led the Saint Louis Crusaders to titles and the Cougars to the Rose Bowl, has worked as a college football analyst for FSN the past two years. He plans to continue working for the station.

Gesser also served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Franklin Pierce in Tacoma in 2007-08. In 2006, he was an assistant coach for Federal Way.

"For me, the timing couldn't have been better," Gesser is quoted in the article. "This, I

believe, is the premier job in the Northwest. We have a new campus, a new building, and I think this is such a good fit. We hope to create a dynasty for the next 10-plus years, and our goal is certainly a state championship."

Gesser was set to play in the Arena Football League this season,but the AFL canceled its season because of financial problems.

"Things happen for a reason," Gesser said in the Times story. "This has been an unbelievable process."

Gesser was not selected in the 2003 NFL draft. He signed a free-agent deal with the Tennessee Titans. He also played in the Canadian Football League and the AFL.