Skillings retiring as wrestling coach

Joel Skillings has been one of the top wrestling coaches in state history as evidenced by a robust 559-174-4 record in 31 years as head coach at Minneota.
The numbers will stop there, however, as the personable Skillings, 57, announced his retirement this week. But his legacy will forever live on.
Skillings' 559 wins currently rank No. 8 all-time among Minnesota wrestling coaches in all classes.
During his tenure, Skillings guided the 2015 team to the Class A state title and is a two-time Class A Coach of the Year recipient.
"Wrestling exposes a person's vulnerabilities, strengths, weaknesses, great potential and character," Skillings said. "I’m thankful to have been some small part of that process.
"During my time as head wrestling coach, I did my best to build, develop and maintain a program that all those associated with it could be proud of."
Assistant coach Les Engler, who also recently announced his retirement, worked as an assistant coach under Skillings for 26 years. Another assistant, JD Pesch resigned earlier this spring.
"Joel has always stressed that the only reason we are coaching is for the kids and the program," said Engler.
"I’m amazed at the time he put in not only during the season, but the off-season as well. It was awesome to see him win a state title after all the hard work he's put into the program."
In his letter of resignation addressed to Supt. Dan Deitte, Skillings expressed regret in stepping down after such a lengthy tenure. The school board accepted the resignation at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The letter read:
"I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as the head wrestling coach of the program for the past 31 seasons. I love coaching and it has been a pleasure to coach the young men who have passed through this program. It is with mixed emotions I leave this position, but I look forward to future challenges and opportunities."
Bryce Bruner, a state individual champion in 2016 under Skillings, was saddened to learn that his former coach was resigning.
"Joel and I got along very well," said Bruner. "I've known him for a long time. He was even my elementary Phy Ed teacher.
"Coach always looked out for his wrestlers and was willing to help them in any way he could. During practice, if he could see we were having some personal problems at home or with a girlfriend or with school, he would take us out of the wrestling room and talk to us and try to help in any way he could. I owe a lot of the success I've had to him."
Skillings, a native of Clarissa, MN, began his teaching career in New Town, ND on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. After four years there, he and his wife Jackie, a second grade teacher at St. Edward's School, moved to Minneota where he began coaching wrestling and teaching K-6 Phy Ed.; the latter a position he still holds.
The Skillings have three children and one grandchild.
Minneota was in danger of losing its wrestling program many years ago because of a numbers crunch and plans were being made for the remaining wrestler to join the Canby program.
That was a time when Skillings first came to Minneota and he basically jumped in and saved the program.
"We wouldn't even have wrestling Minneota today, if not for Coach Skillings," Bruner echoed. "I don't think a lot of people realize that."
Skillings said that building the program to the level everyone aspired to took a lot of planning, development and dedication.
"The unselfish individuals in our program did not get the attention or credit that they deserved," he said. "I can only hope that they know how grateful I am to them.
"During my tenure, I had the pleasure of working with many excellent coaches who I owe for their dedication and commitment to the kids."
Bruner said he will always remember something Skillings did under pressure to try and relax the team.
"Before every big match or before we wrestled at the state tournament, Joel would always say the same thing," Bruner told. "He would say 'No pressure; just wrestle perfect'. And then he would have this big smile on his face."
Skillings, who recently underwent knee surgery to repair his meniscus, has run over 40 marathons and has a goal of one day running the original marathon in Greece.
"I'm hoping to be able to do that some day," he said, while recovering at home from his surgery on Tuesday.