The search for a new head wrestling coach is underway after Chad Beatty has opted not to return for a second season.
Beatty replaced former coach Scott Norton, who stepped down from his position after a two-decade tenure with the program. He was a high school wrestling champion out of the state of Iowa, only losing seven times in his high school career. He wrestled with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes where he led the team to three NCAA wrestling championships.
Beatty was previously an assistant coach for the Iowa City West High School Trojans, Cornell College Rams and head coach for the Forest Grove High School Vikings.
His run included coaching Highline wrestler Jeramias Sandoval to a third-place finish at the NJCAA National Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Athletic Director John Dunn says that the hardest part about finding someone to fill the coaching vacancy is finding people who fit a specific trifecta of circumstance: someone who is qualified, interested, and with an open schedule free of restrictive obligation.
“Each time we have needed a coach, we struggle to get a qualified pool,” Dunn said. “There seems to be a decent wrestling community but a lack of qualified – interested candidates.”
Dunn says that Highline is looking for a coach that shares the college’s viewpoint on student-athletes, that they are students first, athletes second. In addition, he says that their ability to recruit will also be a contributing factor to being hired.
“[We are looking for] someone who shares our philosophy, who is a great recruiter, who makes academics a priority, and is a tireless worker,” he said.
The athletic director said that the COVID-19 pandemic affects collegiate athletics the same way it has affected the rest of the school, thus there is uncertainty surrounding the target start of the season in April, with or without a coach.
“[COVID-19] has impacted us the same as the college as a whole,” he said. “Due to the restrictions of the state and our college athletics, this has been a challenge to do. We are planning on competing in April, but it will be based on the phase that our college and county are in and the restrictions that the state and the governor has decided.”
As of press time, King County is in phase 2 under the guidelines made by the state. This allows for some limited gatherings indoors, including some athletic events.
Chad Beatty declined request for comment.