High school wrestling: Greg Seigler succeeds Mike Koshar as Brunswick coach

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick athletic director John Justice didn't have to look far to find a replacement for 23-year wrestling coach Mike Koshar. In fact, Justice didn't have to leave the practice room. Pending board of education approval, assistant Greg Seigler will take over the reins June 20. "Greg has been committed to that program for a long time as an assistant coach," Justice said. "Over the past year, he knew there may be the opportunity coming up and really took it upon himself to show he could be the next coach. "That really stood out to me. He quite simply said, 'I'm the assistant coach, and that's what I'm going to do,' but he took the year to really learn to be a head coach." Seigler is no stranger to the Blue Devils, as the 41-year-old Brunswick Middle School Intervention Specialist has been with Koshar in some capacity for 19 of the last 20 seasons. Seigler broke into coaching in 2001 as a volunteer assistant before taking over as freshman coach in 2003. In 2006, he became the Willetts Middle School coach and held the position until 2013. After a one-year stint with Medina coach Chad Gilmore, Seigler returned to Brunswick as a junior varsity and varsity assistant. Last season, he concentrated on varsity. "Just being here and understanding what the program is about is important," Seigler said. "Seeing it build up to the highs of having so many incredible wrestlers, and seeing them go to Division I colleges and knowing the hand we had in helping them prepare them for that is huge. "Having the teams that we had, it wasn't always based on talent. Those kids had to work incredibly hard. It wasn't just working hard in December, January and February. Those kids were doing it May, June, July, September and October to keep it going." Seigler isn't going into the 2021-22 season blind, as Koshar gave him more and more control last season. Having Koshar in his corner as an assistant will help, as will knowing the program in all facets. "I think the wrestlers we have now and the wrestlers that we will have here understand the leadership we have and the expectations I have for them, as well as the goals I have for the team and the individuals," Seigler said. "I think it was important for the kids to understand that expectation moving forward. "It's not that the expectation was any different than in the past, but maybe a different version. It's different expectations in the classroom, the community and home. I told them if all you ever learned was a double leg, then I failed you. Wrestling can help you make a living even if you're not going to use wrestling later. It can prepare you for life." Seigler has said Koshar will be an invaluable piece as he instills his beliefs from the youth level up. It's part of the reason Justice wasn't afraid to give him the nod. Koshar coached four state champions and five runners-up. Three individuals were third, 24 placed and 48 reached state. Nick Kiussis, who finished second in 2014-16 and was champion in 2017, is Medina County's only four-time state finalist. Koshar had a state qualifier every season except 2000 and took six to Columbus in 2016. Koshar also won league championships in 2008 and from 2013-15, recorded top-10 state finishes in 2016 (8th) and 2017 (10th) and had a 201-68 record (.747). "Mike did it for a very, very long time and was one of the very, very best," Justice said. "I expect Greg is going to want to replicate that success. Will he do things with his own twist? I'm sure he will. At the same time, he's learned from the best. There's a good solid foundation from what Mike has done for the last 23 years." Contact Brad Bournival at bournival929@gmail.com.