JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin Schools is pleased to announce the hiring of Blake Byrne as the next head coach for the Joplin High School Wrestling program.
Byrne joins Joplin Schools from Miami (OK) Junior High and Miami (OK) High School where he worked as a math, science, and chemistry teacher while assistant coaching and head coaching the Junior High and High School Wrestling teams. He also currently serves as a Platoon Sergeant (SFC-E7) in the 294th ESC with the Missouri Army National Guard. He has maintained military service since 2010, and was the recipient of the LTG Samuel D. Sturgis Award in 2023.
Byrne graduated from Western Governors University in 2021 after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies in Secondary Earth Science. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Educational Leadership in School Administration through Oklahoma State University. During his time as a high school athlete, Byrne was the 2010 Missouri state champion at 103 lbs.
“Coach Byrne checked all the boxes of what we were looking for in our next head coach,” said Joplin Schools Athletics Director Matt Hiatt. “His passion for wrestling and knowledge of the sport stood out to all involved in the hiring process. Blake will do a great job of overseeing all facets of our wrestling program from high school through the youth level. We are excited for him to join our family and begin working with our wrestling community.”
“I’m extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to lead this program. I think that there is a lot of potential at Joplin High School and I look forward to establishing a superior wrestling culture. Having had my own success in wrestling in Missouri, I am beyond thrilled to be back in Missouri as a coach,” said Byrne.
In addition to coaching the wrestling program, Byrne will teach a Freshman 101 class at Joplin High School.
Reference:
Sarah Coyne
sarahcoyne@joplinschools.org
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