For Davis, lifetime of coaching leads to coaches for life

Former Owatonna wrestling coach Scot Davis would love to support each of his former wrestlers who have become coaches. While that could start right here at home, it would also take him in every direction of the compass and as far away as Florida.

With Derek Johnson in Owatonna, Tyler Sorenson at Mankato West, and Tyler Vogt in Albert Lea, Davis began creating a list. It’s up to 12, and he wouldn’t be surprised if there were others.

“I’m very proud of them and what they’ve accomplished. It tells me that at least we did something in our program to keep their interest and motivate them to continue with their wrestling pursuits,” said Davis.

Johnson comes from a coaching family.

“I was helping guys in middle school,” he said. “It’s just something I love doing is helping my teammates. Even back then.”

A teammate told him, “Someday you’re going to make a great coach. And we were in eighth grade at the time.” Davis himself had an inkling he would pursue coaching from his time as a junior high wrestler.

Trevor Erler is in his first year at Medford. He wants “to give back to the sport that has taught me so much. Wrestling prepares athletes for challenges in life; resiliency, discipline, and work ethic to name a few.”

Sorenson got wrapped up in the sport early.

“Growing up in the youth program that (Davis) helped build along with so many other great Owatonna coaches, helped foster my love for the sport and want to give back and continue to be involved,” he said.

Travis Gray missed it after graduating from OHS. He reached out to Davis, who connected him with Gregg Eldred at Bloomington Jefferson. Gray began coaching while attending the University of Minnesota.

“It didn’t take long for me to realize how much I enjoyed coaching,” he said. “It not only scratched by competitive itch but also inspired me to change my major from business to education.”

He’s in his 20^th year coaching at Wellington High School (Fla.).

Gray feels Davis “did an incredible job fostering a close-knit, family-like team environment. Some of my fondest memories are from the team trips.”

Others include Gregg Nelson (Adrian), Jeff Forcier (Eden Valley-Watkins), Matt Sullivan (Lakeville North), Eldred (Boyceville, Wis.), Bob Garrou (Tomahawk High School, Wis.), and Andy DeCoteau (Mayville State College, N. Dak.). Several wrestled for Davis at schools other than Owatonna.

And there’s Josh Woodrich, an OHS grad, who was just named the head boys golf coach for the Huskies.

Davis was an All-American at Augsburg and coached 50 years, 25 of those at OHS, where his teams won three state titles. He is in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a coach and writer. He still writes for a couple of national publications.

The 73-year-old said, “It’s been my life, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I enjoy the sport. Even just to go watch a meet is fun for me.”

Check out a full interview with Davis on OwatonnaLive.com.