SOLON, Ohio – Solon wrestling coach Tony DiGiovanni is making the 2014-15 season his last with the Comets.
He leaves the Comets after 30 years, with a Division I state title (1990) and 19 state champions during his watch.
“All those things were done because the kids put in their time and believed in the program and the coaches. They bought in,” said DiGiovanni, 62, who is also retiring after 30 years as a physical education teacher.
DiGiovanni said he recommended to school administrators that former Solon assistant coach Audi Atienza be his successor.
While a lot of things went into his retirement decision, said DiGiovanni, one of the main ones was being able spend time with family, especially holidays, which often were dominated by wrestling events.
“I really haven’t had a Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter for about 45 years,” said DiGiovanni, who wrestled at Kenston and Cleveland State.
DiGiovanni collected almost every type of coach of the year award during his career, from conference (16 times) to county to state. He was also a finalist for National Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
He is the founder of Solon Open Mats, which has provided local wrestlers with a free place to train for the past 30 years. Opening doors to wrestlers paid off for his program, which produced 100 state qualifiers and 24 high school All-Americans.
The Comets finished in the top five at the state tournament seven times under DiGiovanni. In 2013, he coached two three-time state champions – Brandon Thompson and Anthony Collica.
"We're the only public school in Division I to ever do that," said DiGiovanni, who also coached his son, Vinny, to a state title in 2002. "I don't want to take anything away from the coaches before me, but a highlight for me has been putting Solon on Ohio's wrestling map. Putting Solon up at a high level with the high-level programs year after year."
DiGiovanni said he is as fulfilled by the wrestlers who achieved great things on the mat as the team managers who blossomed as part of the program.
He plans to remain close to the wrestling community, perhaps volunteering his time and being present at open mats.
“If my life is a book, I’m pretty happy with the page on I’m right now,” said DiGiovanni. “I think I stole that quote. But I can’t think of anything that better describes how I feel.”
(@ScottPatsko) by email ([email protected]) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.