After 16 years, 15 district titles, and a staggering 229-43 record , head wrestling coach Joe Hathaway has built the Dragon wrestling program into a perennial powerhouse.. A former U.S. Army Infantry Officer, Hathaway brings a unique brand of disciplined mentorship to the mat, focusing less on the accolades and more on the character of the athletes he leads. This past season served as a crowning achievement for his storied career: on the same night two of his wrestlers secured individual state titles, Hathaway himself was officially inducted into the Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association (THSWCA) Hall of Honor.
IT FELT VALIDATING TO... receive such an honor from my peers. I’ve looked up to and learned so much from the coaches that were already inducted, so to be included with that great group is very special. But honestly, things don’t feel all that different. We are still always trying to improve, and because every kid, day, and season is a new challenge, I’m already focused on trying to figure out the next puzzle.
I KNEW FROM THE DAY I GOT TO CARROLL... we could create something truly special. More than any one trophy, I measure our success on consistency — 15 district titles, 12 of them consecutive. No one year or moment stands apart from the rest; it’s been the collective effort of all of them. Looking back now, I’m proud of the standard we’ve maintained year after year.
THE U.S. ARMY IS THE BEST... leadership school and training in the world. When I became a head coach, my time as an Infantry Officer helped me understand the vital importance of developing a strong culture and leaders who would continue to build on that foundation. I learned so much about myself during the toughest times in the military, and I try to incorporate those critical lessons into wrestling for the kids.
IT WAS SPECIAL TO HAVE... my whole family there on the night of the induction. That final day of the State Tournament can be a real whirlwind, especially with Dylan Ota and Keagan Sieracki winning individual titles, but having my family there helps me stay grounded. It keeps things in perspective. I wanted to stay calm and really enjoy the experience with our wrestlers — especially for the one I was coaching for the very last time in high school.
I AM MOST PROUD OF... helping facilitate more communication across our entire state during my time as THSWCA President. Texas is massive and it’s traditionally been hard to get everyone on the same page, but we organized representation from each region to communicate monthly.
CONSISTENCY AND COMPOSURE ARE... the biggest factors that separate a great wrestler from the rest of the pack. Being great takes an immense investment of time, and the nine state champions I've coached all invested that time on a consistent basis. The other separator is composure. The best kids keep a cool head and don't get rattled by adversity. The higher the level, the more adversity you face; these kids block it out and stay focused on the goal.
WE TAKE A "TEAM FIRST" APPROACH... to what is usually viewed as an individual sport. Carroll wrestling has become a dynasty, but every year and group is different. Even when you have the same kids returning, they mature and their relationships change. By building around the team rather than the individual, we elevate everyone in the room.
YOU’RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO... make a million dollars wrestling, but I tell my athletes all the time that you will make that million by applying the things you learned on this mat to your life. I hope that when they leave our program, they have the confidence to know they can do hard things, the heart to be servant leaders, and the wisdom to know the importance of the relationships they build.