After 38 years as the Head Coach of Winchester High School Wrestling, Larry Tremblay has decided to retire.
I would like to thank the Winchester community for allowing me the privilege of coaching their sons. It’s been an amazing ride, and I have so many people to thank.
Seems like it was yesterday that I was interviewing for the position. I was the Head Coach at North Reading during the 1979-80 season when my grandfather-in-law, Sports Editor of the Boston Globe, Jerry Nason, told me about the available position. I left North Reading, which I truly enjoyed, for a better opportunity in Winchester.
Like North Reading, I was left a very talented team and immediately we started to win. That 1980-81 team went 11-5 and produced State and New England champ, Gary Errico. Until this day, that 11-5 record is the low water mark for the program.
Currently, the program is coming off a 26-0 dual meet record with wins over top programs in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Some of the accomplishments and memories in Winchester over the years include:
26 League Titles, with the last nine in a row;
27 Top-2 Sectional finishes;
17 Top-5 State Team placings;
7 Individual State/Team Dual Titles;
7 Undefeated Seasons;
6 All-Americans;
68 Wins in a row over the 2007 and 2008 seasons with back to back State Titles;
Current 37 win-streak;
Winchester presently being known and recognized as a high-caliber, quality program on the state, New England and National levels;
My current coaching record of 729-98-5 (note the same number of wins as is Winchester’s telephone exchange!)
And particularly personal highlights include coaching my son, Travis, to the State. All-State, and New England Finals;
and listening to my daughter, Lorelle, speak at my Hall of Fame induction in 2014 (Massachusetts Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame.)
I have worked for amazing administrators over the years including several Superintendents, eight Principals and seven Athletic Directors, who were all wonderful men and women. I also worked with dedicated custodians and invaluable Athletic Trainer, Donna Gildersleeve, as well as many other outstanding coaches and teachers. I’ve had a great experience working with the town’s ABC program with the guidance of our Hall of Fame Community leader, Terry Marotta.
I’ve developed special relationships with many of the parents who are really the backbone of the program. These relationships have lasted over the years even after their sons have graduated and we still get together socially. I’ve enjoyed working with the most talented assistant coaches ever assembled, and most of all, the incredible student-athletes. I want to mention two special student-athletes in particular:
Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah who is a professional wrestler and WWE star as a member of the tag team, The New Day, using the name Kofi Kingston; and
Glen Doherty who served as a Navy Seal and was killed as a government contractor in Benghazi in 2012.
I need to give a shout-out to current coaches, Eric “Bubba” Johnson, and Ryan O’Boyle and thank them for their hard-work and dedication.
A special thank you, as well, to my wife, Dawn, for her patience and support in allowing me to take time away from our family for the past 38 years to live my passion.
Thank you to the Friends of Winchester Wrestling led by Chris Gregory and Rick Williams because without this organization, we couldn’t compete in national tournaments. And I want to thank and recognize former wrestler, Tom Stirling, for running our website for the past 10 years.
I was fortunate to have had Winchester’s Youth program as a resource and I thank youth coaches, Pat Christopher, Lou McDonald and Chris Nissen for all their efforts in feeding our program.
Our Alumni have been a tremendous asset, both on and off the mat. They have shown true strength in their support. I’m also very proud of our own Winchester Wrestling Hall of Fame which recognizes former outstanding wrestlers along with distinguished parents and community members who have contributed immeasurably to our program.
With so many individuals being involved in Winchester wrestling, it is my strong hope, and I know it is the hope of others, that the WHS program will find a permanent wrestling room so that past, present and future wrestlers can train in a dedicated space and know they are recognized as part of a program with a strong history of success.
Hopefully I have made a difference in some of the young men’s lives. However, I realize I’m a dinosaur in the sport. I stress winning, not just competing! I certainly hope my wrestlers all know what an impact they’ve had on my life. It’s been my honor and joy to share my knowledge, experience and love of the sport with them. Although I feel it’s time to move on, I still feel that same excitement for wrestling that I had 38 years ago. I sincerely hope that my wrestlers feel that passion for the sport throughout their lives as well.