If being selected Michigan Wrestling Association regional coach of the year wasn’t a big enough surprise for Brandon Rank, he received another big surprise March 14.
That’s when Rank, who’s served as an assistant wrestling coach at Oxford High School for three years, learned his peers had chosen him as the MWA State Assistant Coach of the Year.
Specifically, Rank received assistant coach honors for Michigan’s Division 2. Michigan divides its teams into four divisions ranging from the largest schools (Division 1) to the smallest (Division 4).
According to MWA board member Brian Richardson, who oversees the coach of the year process and also serves as an assistant wrestling coach near Grand Rapids at Rockford High School, Michigan high school head and assistant coaches each nominate coaches for head and assistant coach of the year.
‘I especially didn’t expect to win [the state honor],? Rank said. ‘The regional assistant coach of the year award was a surprise, but the state award was beyond a surprise.?
The coach said other than seeing student wrestlers improve each year, this is the first award he’s received.
‘Since it was chosen by my coaching peers across the state, it means a lot,? he said. ‘You always want to have the respect of people you work with and have the same interests as they do.?
As a wrestling assistant coach, Rank described himself as both intense and encouraging. The way he handles wrestlers depends on each individual. Some need an intense, in-your-face coach while others need to be reminded of the proper technique and what’s been done in practice.
OHS wrestling head coach Scott Couch said he’s very pleased to have Rank on his coaching staff.
‘He comes with a great reputation, works hard, helps to do the drilling and conditioning and does a great job overall,? Couch said. ?[Rank] has a great rapport with kids and is all about wrestling. It’s good to have him on staff and great he got rewarded.?