Here's what makes Coffman's Chance Van Gundy Dispatch boys wrestling Coach of the Year
Chance Van Gundy has built the Dublin Coffman boys wrestling team into a perennial power during his 12 seasons as coach.
Even during a season that threw the Shamrocks some curves, they earned the highest finish for a central Ohio team in the Division I state tournament, placing fourth (88.5 points) behind champion Lakewood St. Edward (226.5).
For his efforts, Van Gundy has been named The Dispatch’s All-Metro Coach of the Year.
“With all the adversity, even starting back in December, every week there was something,” Van Gundy said of his team’s injury-filled season. “I’ve never had a season like this (while) coaching. It was rough at times. I look back, and they accomplished a lot individually and as a team. It’s hard not to be proud of that.”
Van Gundy guided the Shamrocks to their sixth consecutive district title and eighth OCC-Central championship in a row. Coffman has also won eight regional dual titles under Van Gundy.
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The Shamrocks qualified 10 wrestlers for the individual state tournament, tying Perrysburg for the second most in Division I. St. Edward and Massillon Perry each had 13.
Senior e’Than Birden Jr. led the Shamrocks, capturing the title at 165 pounds for his second consecutive state championship.
“I’ve known Van Gundy for a long time,” said Birden, who will wrestle at Ohio State. “Him just always emphasizing chain wrestling, he’s always been there for me. Him and my dad (e’Than) are my main coaches. What coach Van Gundy does for the team and how he’s always making sure our team is competitive, he’s very strong with that. He’s always humble as well.”
Chain wrestling provides wrestlers with the ability to string together a combination of moves.
Birden’s father is an assistant coach with the program, which has had nine state champions under Van Gundy.
“It’s been really cool,” Van Gundy said. “We’ve had a lot of kids in the state finals. You take out the COVID year (2019-20, when the state tournament was canceled), every year since 2019 we’ve had a state champion.”
Senior Omar Ayoub, a four-time state qualifier, finished second at 144 after winning titles as a junior and sophomore. He will wrestle at Nebraska.
Van Gundy took pride in watching his freshman son, Blaze, finish fifth at state at 120 after battling an ankle injury.
“He handled it very well and did everything he could to still put himself and the team in a good place to be successful in the postseason,” Van Gundy said. “I was very proud of his determination, both as a coach and as a father.”
Eli Esguerra (sixth, 150), Sammy Moloney (sixth, 175) and Storm Beane (seventh, 190) also reached the state podium for Coffman.
The Dispatch’s Athlete of the Year in boys wrestling will be among the honors announced at the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 20 at Mershon Auditorium.
Van Gundy, 48, coached Central Crossing for seven seasons and Ready for three before taking over at Coffman. He is a physical education teacher at West Franklin Elementary School in South-Western City Schools.
A 1994 Bloom-Carroll graduate, Van Gundy finished third in the Division III state tournament as a junior and fifth in Division II as a senior, competing both years at 160. He was a Division II All-American at Ashland University, finishing fifth nationally at 165 in 1999.
“Coach Van Gundy is easy to talk to,” Birden said. “He’s also a teacher as well, so when it comes to education, he’s real strong on that. He’s a good person and has great character as well.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Coffman's Van Gundy is Dispatch boys wrestling Coach of the Year
