Coach – Wrestling
Miami, FL, native William Green, son of Betty Curry, was introduced to wrestling in the 9th grade at Miami Edison High School. Though small in stature—standing 5 feet tall and weighing just 98 pounds—he brought relentless determination to the mat. In a state dominated by football, William’s physical build didn’t offer much opportunity on the gridiron, even as a JV player. But wrestling gave him something football didn’t – a chance to compete, to belong, and to avoid becoming “just another product of the streets.” Under the direction of his high school wrestling coach, Mitch Gurdus, William excelled with wrestling.
By his junior year, William had become a force in South Florida’s wrestling scene. He earned district and regional titles, and in his senior year, he placed third in the state.
William went on to wrestle at Miami Dade North Junior College under Coach Rick Tucci—an elite wrestling mind and international official who had officiated World Cups and the Olympics. Under Tucci’s guidance, William sharpened his skills and became one of the top junior college wrestlers in the Southeast.
At the time, the SEC still had wrestling programs, and William was recruited by the University of Kentucky’s Fletcher Carr. UK was a powerhouse then, pulling talent from across the country. After redshirting his first year, William spent three years wrestling for the Wildcats and continued to grow in both skill and discipline.
After graduating, William took a teaching job at Tates Creek Middle School. Not long after, he stepped into the role of head wrestling coach. There, he produced his first State Champion—and a few years later, another, who would go on to win back-to-back titles.
While coaching and teaching, William also pursued an advanced degree in Administration and Supervision. He later became assistant principal at Leestown Middle School. However, district policy prohibited administrators from coaching due to potential financial conflicts. Faced with a choice, William stepped down from administration to continue coaching—a decision backed by the support of his community.
Eventually, William found his way to Lafayette High School, where he began working with the wrestling team led by his former athlete, Chris McCoy. When McCoy left to start a new program in Louisville, William took over as Lafayette’s head coach.
Under his leadership, Lafayette wrestling thrived. He developed five individual state champions—one of whom became a two-time champ, another who went on to play for the New Orleans Saints, and one who made history as a female state champion.
In 2021, William Green was inducted into the Kentucky Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His accomplishments include:
- 8 City Championships
- 3 Top-15 team finishes
- 113 state qualifiers
- 16 state finalists
- 9 state champions
- 1 Most Outstanding Wrestler (MOW)
- 3-time Boys Regional Coach of the Year
- 2-time Girls Regional Coach of the Year
- Coach of the Year honors from both officials and coaching peers
Most recently, his Lafayette girls team won the State Championship—making them the first wrestling team from Lexington to win a state title in 60 years.
One of the accomplishments of which William is most proud is the service-learning element of his coaching. Around each Thanksgiving, William gathers his wrestlers and they help the Lexington Rescue Mission deliver Thanksgiving baskets to the elderly. This giveback is a testament to William’s strong faith and to his heart for helping others.
