Longtime Mt. SAC Wrestling Coach Retires

Larry Watanabe, a long-time fixture on the Mt. SAC wrestling mats, has announced his retirement after 20 years as head wrestling coach.

Watanabe wore many hats at Mt. SAC, serving as wrestling coach, professor, Physical Education Department Chairperson for several years and taking part on various campus committees for the school. An avid fan of the martial arts, Watanabe even taught many of the martial arts classes available at Mt. SAC.

But many will know Watanabe for the contributions he brought to the wrestling program, where he guided Mt. SAC wrestling teams that were often ranked among the top 10 in the state, including a third-place finish (1995) and fourth-place finish (2005). He has worked with nine state champions and 30 All-Americans.

Hector Lopez, who wrestled for Watanabe this past season, said the coach stood out for several reasons.

"Coach Watanabe stands out because he cares about his wrestlers on and off the mat," said Lopez, who finished seventh overall at 133 pounds at the 2010 Community College State Finals. "He has a strange and funny sense of humor that some people don't understand but that's just coach. He's just an amazing person and I'm just glad I had the opportunity to train under him. He taught me many technical things, and he showed me how to be a more responsible person."

Aside from coaching wrestling, Watanabe had a standout wrestling career as a Mountie. He wrestled for the school in 1969 and 1970 where he won a State Championship at 126 pounds and was a first team All-Conference Selection and Mt. SAC student-athlete of the year. He then continued his wrestling career at Cal State Fullerton, becoming the 134-pound conference champion in 1973 for the Titans.

In 1992, Watanabe was selected as a charter member of the Mt. SAC Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Before coaching at Mt. SAC, Watanabe served as head wrestling coach at La Puente Nogales High School for 15 years. During his tenure, the Nobles won five league championships and a CIF title in 1980.

Despite his retirement, Watanabe still plans to work with the wrestling team and teach martial arts classes, a passion of his that has seen him travel over the world to study the various art forms.

"He has crazy ninja strength," remarked Lopez. "He may not look strong, but he sure is strong. When he would demonstrate moves on me, I still would get surprised on what he could do.

"I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet and train under him. He's the best coach I've ever had. He's a very advanced and technical coach. He knows his stuff."