Derry wrestling coach Mike Weinell resigns

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, June 4, 2021 | 2:20 PM

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Derry is looking for a new wrestling coach after Mike Weinell resigned Thursday.

Weinell coached at Derry for 19 years, the last 11 as the head coach.

During that span he coached eight state champions, two as an assistant, as well as 10 PIAA finalists, and his team made the WPIAL team tournament nine of 11 years. The Trojans also qualified for the PIAA tournament twice.

The state champions were Jimmy Gulibon (four-time), Travis Shaffer and Micky Phillippi (three-time).

“There is never a good time to step down,” Weinell said. “But it was time to step back and spend more time to the family.”

Weinell was 131-75 as a coach. He coached 12 PIAA placewinners, 20 PIAA qualifiers, 22 section champions, 10 WPIAL champions and seven Southwest Regional champions. Nine of his wrestlers ended up with more than 100 victories.

Weinell wants to spend more time coaching his 8-year-old son, Teague.

Weinell did some volunteer coaching at Garrett County Community College in Deep Creek, Md., where his son, Trey, is wrestling.

“I’m very satisfied with what I accomplished at Derry,” Weinell said. “And I’m leaving the program in good shape. The future looks bright for Derry wrestling the next 10 seasons.”

Derry athletic director Brett Miller said Weinell did a great job with the program.

“Mike did a lot of great things for the program,” Miller said. “He accomplished a lot. The team was always strong, and he had numerous qualifiers and state champions.”

Weinell replaced Mike Wood in 2010.

Among current head coaches, only Greensburg Salem’s Randy Parsley and Hempfield’s Vince DeAugustine have coached more years than Weinell in Westmoreland County.

Miller said the search for a new coach began Friday.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Derry Area