PERRY TWP. — The tenure of one of the most successful high school wrestling coaches in the history of Stark County has come to an end.
Perry High School announced in a Thursday press release that head wrestling coach Brent McBurney has decided to retire.
McBurney was a coach on the Perry staff for the past 20 years. He had a record of 133-33 in dual meets and won 12 Federal League Championships. McBurney coached multiple individual state champions and led Perry to five OHSAA Division I runner up finishes in the team standings at the state tournament.
“It has been my honor and privilege to lead and be part of the Perry Wrestling program for the last 20 years,” McBurney wrote in a press release. “At this time I will be stepping down as the head wrestling coach and looking forward to being able to watch my son compete in college and my daughter finish out soccer in high school. I appreciate the support of the administration and community over the years.”
McBurney also helped Perry become the first public school program in the history of the state to qualify its entire lineup for the OHSAA State Tournament this winter. He was named the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association State Coach of the Year this past season for his efforts.
“Perry High School is grateful to Coach McBurney for his years of service and dedication to our students and the community,” athletic director Kevin Yoder wrote in a press release. “During his time at Perry our wrestling program was not only one of the best wrestling programs in the state, but also in the country. Coach McBurney was a class act at all times and great to work with. He along with his coaching staff and wrestlers represented our school and community in the best possible way at all times, and his impact on the wrestling program and the student-athletes he coached will not be forgotten. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
The will look for a successor immediately. Perry will provide updates on the search in the coming weeks.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Brent McBurney retires as Perry High School wrestling coach
