Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COACHING AT CARROLL AND WHAT HAS THE EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE?
A: I’ve been coaching for nine years and eight years at Carroll now, and it’s been great. I was a middle school and high school assistant for one year prior, and I feel like I’ve really grown in the position after starting in my early 20s. It’s been very gratifying to see the program grow.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR WRESTLING BACKGROUND?
A: I was an all-state wrestler in high school in Washington and from there I competed for five years, including a redshirt, collegiately at Southern Oregon.
Q: WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO TEXAS?
A: I actually had a girlfriend in college that ended up moving to San Antonio to finish school. So I came down and got a job and really liked it. I just decided to give it a try and really enjoyed the weather and the people. And I never left!
Q: WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT BEING A COACH?
A: The relationships you build with the families and kids. I’ve gotten to know a lot of great people really well over the years. Those relationships are the biggest thing I will take away.
Q: AND THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT?
A: The hardest thing for me is being really competitive. I put a lot of pressure on myself every day to make sure we’re doing everything we can to be the best. I hold myself and our kids to a very high standard and sometimes that can be a battle. I know sometimes the kids may not understand in the moment, but when they come back in their later years and visit, I see they do then.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST CAREER HIGHLIGHT?
A: I was named the region's coach of the year last year and was a finalist for state. That was pretty cool. But really the biggest thing has been the consistency we've had and winning district five of the past seven years.
Q: DO YOU HAVE TO ALTER YOUR COACHING STYLE WITH BOYS AND GIRLS?
A: I really don’t. When the kids are in the room, I coach them all the same way. It is the same standards for everybody. There’s the way we do it and anyone can do it. Big, small, boy or girl. Not much changes.
Q: GENERALLY SPEAKING, HOW EXPERIENCED ARE WRESTLERS WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT HIGH SCHOOL?
A: A majority of kids have been coming in as freshmen, but a few years ago we started a middle school program and we’re trying to build a youth program. We’re starting to see that pay off. There are so many great athletes here. The earlier we can get them started, the more successful they are going to be.
By Kevin Haslam