News

Actions

Mason wrestling coach steps down

Posted at 11:28 AM, Mar 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-08 11:28:38-05

MASON, Ohio — Mason wrestling coach Craig Murnan announced he’s stepped down after 11 seasons as the head coach in order to spend more time with his family.

“Being a head coach takes an incredible amount of time, energy and commitment,” Murnan wrote in an email to the Mason High School staff Tuesday morning. “I have three wonderful kids and a supportive wife at home that need my attention. I have missed a great deal of their activities over recent years and I don’t want to miss out on supporting them.”

Murnan has been involved with the Mason wrestling program for 14 years. He’s been involved with wrestling since 1988 as either a competitor or a coach. Mason has won seven consecutive Greater Miami Conference titles under his direction. He was a four-time GMC coach of the year.

He has a 159-35 career dual meet record as head coach and 44 team tournament championships.

Mason was sectional runner-up five times (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014) and sectional champions four times (2010, 2012, 2015, 2016). The Comets had nine top-5 district finishes under Murnan, including the 2106 district runner-up and 2015 district champions.

Mason was fifth in the OHSWCA State Duals and twice in the OHSAA Elite Eight. Mason had five top-15 finishes in the individual state tournament.

Murnan was an assistant wrestling coach from 2002 to 2005 and helped to coach three state champions during that time period.

“It is now time for me to give other areas of my life the attention that it needs and deserves,” Murnan said. “The title as husband and dad needs to be the No. 1 priority in my life.”

Murnan said it was a difficult decision but he’s felt fortunate to work with the numerous wrestlers, parents, coaches, teachers and administrators throughout his tenure.

“Mason is a special place,” Murnan said. “I have confidence that our school administration will hire a person that will continue to build upon the very strong foundation we have here at Mason.”