Coach of the Year
RECOGNIZING THE BEST OF THE BEST
Beginning in 1969, the PWCA has been honoring coaches who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to wrestling. In the 51 years of the award, there have been a total of 108 coaches named Coach of the Year. The 2020 PWCA Coaches of the Year received their awards on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Giant Center in Hershey. For a list of all the previous winners, visit the Coach of the Year Archive page. To learn more about the selection process or to nominate a coach, check out the information below.
2024 PWCA COACH OF THE YEAR WINNERS
CONGRATULATIONS to all our 2024 Coaches of the Year Winners.
AAA Head Coach of the Year: Biff Walizer – Central Mountain HS
AAA Assistant Coach of the Year: Doug Buckwalter – Central Mountain HS
AAA Jr. High Coach of the Year: Ryan Barr – Altoona Area HS
AA Head Coach of the Year: Jeremy Betz – Warrior Run HS
AA Assistant Coach of the Year Derrick Zechman – Warrior Run HS
AA Jr. High Coach of the Year: Gary Havelka – Burgettstown HS
Girls’ Head Coach of the Year: Anthony Shave – Parkland HS
Girls’ Assistant Coach of the Year: Matthew White – Cumberland Valley HS
Girls’ Jr. High Coach of the Year: Anthony Conte – Juniata HS
Photo Credit: Tom Elling
AAA Head Coach of the Year
AA Head Coach of the Year
Girls' Head Coach of the Year
Photo Credit: Tom Elling
APPLICATION & SELECTION AWARD PROCESS
ELIGIBILITY
A coach must be a member of the PWCA. He must receive the votes for District Coach of the Year in his respective district. A coach may be nominated as an "at large nominee" if extenuating circumstances exist. For example, if he did not receive the District Coach of Year, but has had a strong team showing in sectionals, districts, regionals, and states. The nomination can then be placed on the floor at the PWCA board meeting the Thursday evening at States. He must then receive a majority vote to be considered for the PWCA Coach of the Year Award.
APPLICATION
Once a coach receives his respective District Coach of the Year Award, he will be provided the PWCA Coach of Year Application. The completed application should be forwarded to the PWCA President.
SELECTION
A booklet of all respective District Coach of the Year nominees will be compiled. The booklet is distributed to all PWCA officers and district presidents at the PIAA Wrestling Championships. The deadline for ballots is no later than the completion of the semi-final round for each classification.