Coaches.

[Greenwave]

So with a lot of streaming options out there to watch college and high school wrestling the past couple of years.  I have noticed one thing mostly from mid level college programs in many conferences. Many of the assistant coaches look to be nowhere near their college wrestling weights this also includes a couple of head coaches.  
 

Watching Cliff Keen, Cougar Clash, Ironman, Midlands, SS etc. it seems very noticeable out there.  Not saying gaining weight makes you lose your wrestling knowledge or skills.   But does it affect the below .

• recruiting, what standard does the program carry.
• in house wrestler commitment to weight management.
• in house conditioning.
• patents and hs coaches saying they are not embracing the wrestling life style.
• Head coaches ability to manage a program.  Because other schools, parents and hs coaches saying he can’t even manage his 1,2,3 assistant coaches and keep them in wrestling shape.

This does not seem to be an issue with most of the bigger programs out there.

Or does this not matter?

 

 

 

 

[NM1965]

Who did you have in mind? There are fat assistant coaches out there even at the top levels of D1. If they can still move okay and have knowledge to pass on, and if their level of stamina is good enough then I wouldn't have a problem if they were packing a few extra pounds. Looking at the guys who are head coaches I can't think of any really gross dudes who've let themselves go, but I'm not acquainted with all D1 coaches. Tom and Terry are fatter than they were at their wrestling weights, but they still look fit. John Smith was a lot fatter in his last few years as a coach, but even so he was "skinny fat", if you know what I mean. 

Tangentally, I knew a HS coach in Oklahoma in the 70s/80s who wrestled at Michigan State back in the 60's. A colossal fatass named Homer McClure (he was probably close to 400 pounds as a coach), and he was a bit of a drama queen, but his team (Catoosa) was an elite team every year. That fat man had a great wrestling program. Plus he never placed at NCAAs, I think he R12'd a couple times. The point being not to demean Homer, but to illustrate that a guy may be quite out of shape, but if he has knowledge to pass on that he can still be a very successful coach. 

Edited December 14, 2025 by NM1965

[Greenwave]

No specific coaches to call out, we all could see them.  I agree with TnT and top coaches being or at least looking like they are in shape.  It’s mostly mid tier conferences and teams.  I am sure these guys have the knowledge I was just wondering how the look affects recruiting and buy in.

[NM1965]

3 minutes ago, Greenwave said:

No specific coaches to call out, we all could see them.  I agree with TnT and top coaches being or at least looking like they are in shape.  It’s mostly mid tier conferences and teams.  I am sure these guys have the knowledge I was just wondering how the look affects recruiting and buy in.

Hmmmm. I can't say. When I wrestled all I cared about was what the coach could teach me. The guys who taught me the most were very fit, for the most part, but the worst coach I ever had was very fit as well. I could pull that dude apart like salt water taffy as a HS kid  (he was about 120 pound dripping wet). 

Edited December 14, 2025 by NM1965

[AgaveMaria]

Always hated & made fun of fat Physical Education teachers & coaches.