COACHING STAFF
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Brian
Richardson--Head Coach
Brian is currently in his 22nd year of coaching. He has 12
years experience at Rockford, 5 years at Avondale H.S., 3 at
Kalamazoo Central H.S., and 1 at Upton M.S. He and his wife
Caroline have two children. Jaime is 11 and is in the 6th grade
at East, and Jack is 9 and attends 3rd grade at Crestwood.
When he's not coaching wrestling, Brian is an active football
coach for Rockford and he is busy coaching his kids' sports
teams. He is also a teacher in the technology department at
Rockford High School. In his spare time he likes to run, hike,
read, and fish.
His message to kids: Your attitude directly
determines the amount of effort you are willing to put into everything
you do. Start with the right attitude. |
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Doug
Carey--Varsity B Coach
Doug has been actively wrestling for 26 years. He wrestled
in high school and continued at Ferris State University. He
is currently in his 10th year of coaching at Rockford. Before
that, he served as an assistant coach for two years at his
alma mater, Flint Carman-Ainsworth. Doug is a trooper for the
Michigan State Police and is the defensive tactics instructor
for his district. He and his wife Chris(who teaches English
at the Freshman Center) have two children. Jackson, 10, is
a 4th grader at Meadow Rdige, and Olivia, 7, is also at Meadow
Ridge in 1st grade. Doug enjoys training for and competing
in mIxed martial arts competitions, working out, and playing
golf.
His message to kids: We are successful precisely
because we form the habits of doing things that failures do not
like to do. |
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Greg
Hobart--JV Coach
Greg "Hobe" Hobart has been a coach in Rockford
for 30 years! In addition, he is the head coach for the boys'
varsity crew team. Greg wrestled for and graduated from Rockford,
and he has four grown children who are all living on their
own. In his free time, Greg enjoys cooking and competing in
BBQ events around the country. He also loves photography and
has a passion for woodworking.
His message to kids: Train as hard as you can.
You only get out of wrestling what you put into it. |
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Brian
Maksimowski--Assistant Coach
Brian is our newest addition to the Rockford coaching staff!
This will be his first year, but he has coached for the past
14 years--most recently at Forest Hills Central M.S. and H.S.
As a wrestler, Brian won a state championship and earned all
American status in high school. He continued his wrestling
career at Central Michigan. Brian and his wife Jill have three
children--Cullen (15), Ty (5), and Camryn (3). He enjoys spending
time with his family, reading, playing golf, and playing various
yard games. He is also an avid Detroit Lions fan and fantasy
football enthusiast.
His message to kids: Good character is more
to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some
extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us.
We have to build it piece by piece, by thought, choice, courage,
and determination. --John Luther |
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Nick VandenBerg--Assistant Coach
Nick is a former Rockford wrestler
who continued his wrestling career at Elmhurst College. He has
been coaching at North Middle School for the past 6 years, and
this will be his first year as a high school assistant coach.
Nick is also an art teacher at Roguewood Elementary. He and his
wife Rachel are expecting their first baby (a boy who will be
named Henry!) in December. In his spare time, Nick enjoys painting,
drawing, foosball, playing golf, firsbee golf, and caring for
reptiles.
His message to kids: Respect
all; fear none. Practice with purpose.
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Jason Cluff (Volunteer)
Jason is a native of Stevensville-Lakeshore.
He has 28 years of wrestling experience, both as an athlete and
a coach. He was a four-year starter and team co-captain on the
U of M wrestling team. While at Michigan, Jason was All-Big Ten
twice, a two-time NCAA qualifier, and an NCAA quarter finalist
finishing 12th in the country. During his prep career, Jason
compiled a record of 193-7 and was a three-time high school state
champion, three-time freestyle state champion, greco-roman state
champion, and Central Regional Junior National Champion. In his
senior year, he was voted to both the USA Wrestling All-American
and Asics All-American teams.
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