Wrestling: Legendary coach Russ Riegel dies at 89

It's hard to think about New Jersey wrestling without former Hunterdon Central coach Russ Riegel coming to mind.

Russ Riegel in his traditional coaching stance. (HC/Facebook)

Riegel, a controversial and legendary figure in these parts and throughout the Garden State, died on Thursday at the age of 89, according to the wrestling program's Facebook page dedicated to a celebration of the Red Devils approaching 1,000 wins this coming season.

Steve Gibble, who wrestled for Riegel, and Jon Cantagallo-Rohm have followed Riegel as the program's only head coaches in its soon-to-be 64 seasons. Hunterdon Central stands at 985-227-6 heading into the 2019-20 campaign.

"Why I know a lot of the history, just hearing the stories and perspectives [from former wrestlers], he built a foundation for something special," said Cantagallo-Rohm, who is entering his sixth season at the helm and has guided Central to a mark of 104-19 and two runner-up finishes in Group 5.

"I was hoping if he was in good health to touch base during our 1,000 wins celebration. I was told he was still keeping an eye on the program and how we've been doing the last couple of years. With only two coaches ahead of me, I had some big shoes to fill. I hope I've been able to carry on the tradition set by my two predecessors."

Riegel, who started the Hunterdon Central wrestling program in 1956, was one of the most successful and acclaimed coaches in the nation. He guided the Red Devils for 35 seasons, logging a career mark of 533-89-6, before finishing his coaching career at Harrison County High School in Kentucky, where he went 305-129-3 in 16 seasons for an overall record of 838-218-9. He also amassed 65 wins with his 'B' teams at Central, pitting junior varsity wrestlers against varsity competition, something that was rare for that era early in his career, and he guided Central to eight sectional titles and its only state championship (Group 4) in 1989.

"He was way ahead of his era and kind of an innovator," Cantagallo-Rohm said.

At Central, Riegel coached 10 individual state champions, 70 state placewinners, and he started the Hunterdon Central Invitational Tournament, the longest consecutive holiday tournament at 63 years this season (beating the John Goles Invitational at Warren Hills) by one year. Riegel wrestled for Goles at the former Washington High School, where he was a four-time state finalist (the second in tournament history), winning titles in 1944 (120 pounds) and '46 (138 pounds).

"My condolences to the Riegel family. We lost a great man today," former Central great Todd Patton, who was Riegel's 10th and last state champion in 1984, said in a post on Facebook. "Mentor to so many. I shared one of my happiest moments in life with Coach Russ Riegel winning the [171-pound] state championship. He was a huge part of my life back then, and still today. He was my mentor in life and I thank him for the man I have become. RIP Coach. God Bless You."

Riegel with his 1st state champ Bill Bachardy in 2010. (Jim Lebbad)

Among Riegel's former wrestlers who went on to be head coaches, inlcuded Vince Fitz at Delaware Valley and Bob Hall at Voorhees. Fitz was the third state champion coached by Riegel -- winning the title at 136 pounds in 1964 -- while Hall was a runner-up at the same weight class in 1965.

Riegel coached the cross county and cheerleading teams at Hunterdon Central, while serving as the school's first athletic director, a position he held for 35 years, and he even started a Pep Band that played during home matches.

In 2002, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and he is a member of the Gettysburg College Hall of Athletic Honor, as well as the Hunterdon Central Hall of Fame and Blue Streak Wall of Fame at Warren Hills.