Legendary Wrestling Coach Retires From St. Edward High

LAKEWOOD, OH — One of the nation's most decorated coaches in any sport is retiring. St. Edward's head wrestling coach Greg Urbas is stepping down after 29 years at the high school.

"Greg Urbas is a man of incredible character, integrity and wisdom," said Jim Kubacki, St. Edward president. "He is the model for generations of students for living a life rooted in faith, genuine relationships, and a commitment to service. It is a privilege to have Coach Urbas as a colleague. He is a true servant leader. The excellence he has achieved speaks for itself."

During Urbas tenure, St. Edward teams won four national championships, 24 state championships, 25 district championships and 29 sectional championships. He has coached 76 individual state champions, the high school said.

What's more, Urbas' influence has extended beyond high school sports and into collegiate athletics. Over the past 35 years, St. Edward High School has produced at least one NCAA All-American wrestler.

Urbas served as a math teacher at St. Edward during the entirety of his career. While he's retiring, Urbas will continue to work as a math tutor at the high school. Additionally, Urbas will continue to serve the wrestling program in a support capacity.

John Heffernan, a longtime assistant of Urbas, and an alumnus of St. Edward, will take over the head wrestling coach duties. Heffernan won an individual wrestling state championship during his senior year. He went on to become a two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Iowa.

Heffernan has been an assistant coach at St. Edward since 1991. He was recently named the 2017-2018 Scholastic Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

"John is the heart and soul of St. Ed's Wrestling," said Urbas. "As head coach, he will ensure that our student-athletes continue to compete at the highest levels and represent the best of St. Edward High School."

Photo from St. Edward High School