For the past 10 years, Tom Ford has been an assistant for the Windsor wrestling team. 

With the departure of Ryan Bollinger, Ford is now the head coach. 

“I have had the pleasure to coach and learn alongside the Windsor greats such as Coach Kevin Bishop, Coach Joe Lamar, Coach Bollinger, and Coach Kevin Stoffey,” Ford said.  “I am excited to work alongside Coach Nuspl, who teaches science at Windsor Intermediate Center.  Coach Nuspl put our IC wrestling clinic into motion which brought exposure to the sport and had 70 third-fifth graders participate.”            

The Windsor wrestling team has some brand new challenges going into this year and they are excited to get their season underway, which begins on Thursday at 5pm at SLUH. 

“Really excited to see who steps up for us this year and can get some wins,” Ford said. 

Ford has been very encouraged with what he has seen at practice in the early going.                                                                                  

“It’s very early but both the guys and girls are working super hard and it’s been very encouraging to see,” Ford said. 

But Ford also knows that there are going to be challenges early in the year especially being a first time head coach. 

“This season is going to be a big learning year for me just learning how to get everybody in the best positions to succeed,” he said. 

Junior Hayden Barker has enjoyed his time with Ford. 

“Coach Ford definitely brings a lot of energy to the coaching side of things so that’s a lot of fun to see,” Barker said. “He’s showing that he can have a lot of fun coaching but he knows when to get back down to business and start getting serious.” 

Last year, the team only had one girl. This year, Ford has seven girls out for the team. 

“We were able to recruit a lot more girls this year than in years past so that is very exciting. The girls are showing a lot of heart in practice which is something I look for most in my wrestlers,” Ford said. “I love seeing so many kids at practice because that shows me that they trust me as the coach.”

With such a successful program in previous years, Ford understands what is expected of the team. 

Ford said, “Moving into this new position, I have to keep in mind the names on the wall of our room as well as the stories of awesome athletes and coaches that make up the 25+ years of Windsor wrestling.”