My vote would have to go to Vern Ekfelt. He was the wrestling coach at Omaha Central and Omaha North for over 30 years. He was one of the big reasons the sport developed in this state and his teams won five state championships.
Guy Mitty from Tekamah has to be a top 3. Look what he accomplished in the 80's and early 90's in class B and C in a town of only about 1800 people with no recruiting. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think they still hold the all time record for the most points in the state tournament....
Can't really make this decision easily and especially without a set of criteria. I would like to see some of these coaches' records in three areas: Dual Record, Top 10 finishes, Top 3 finishes. Those that have the best records in all three of these areas would have my vote. I think that NWI should put together some sort of List of the top coaches in these areas. That would go a long way in dispelling the Smack Talk! If you stack up Tim Neumann to someone like Marty McCurdy, you have to go with McCurdy all the way!
I think the best quality a coach can have is not their win-loss record but the type of morals he instills in his wrestlers. Coach McCurdy is a great example. In my eyes, he is the best high school coach of all time, not because he led a team to three state titles but because of his teachings that go far beyond the wrestling mat.
But is it appropriate for a coach to instill his beliefs on young minds? Is it not the responsibility of the parent to decide the values that they want their child to learn? I do believe that there is a law as defined by The Supreme Court that mandates there is a separation of church and state. So while a coach should lead by example, he crosses the line when he discusses his religious beliefs with his athletes!
Never in my post did I say he is a great coach b/c of his religious beliefs. I'm certain it is not against the law to instill students and wrestlers with morals.
Don't know who put my name in but please take it off. I will not even consider my self a great coach or good for that matter until I reach the height of some of the great coaches in northeast nebraska. A few names of some coaches from while I was in high school and are still around today creating even greater individuals and teams - Kliment, Bonge, and Sok. I have great respect for these gentlemens abilities.
posted 
