Fallon assistant wrestling coach Dan shaw, who was honored by the city and by mayor Ken Tedford last month, was named the Nevada assistant coach of the year.
He went from winning a state championship during a heartbreaking year to helping the Greenwave capture its first-ever state wrestling title.
Dan Shaw, who won an individual state title in 1999, was named Nevada’s assistant coach of the year, according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Spanish Springs head coach Joe Imelli was named head wrestling coach of the year.
Shaw, along with first-year head coach Trevor de Braga, helped the Greenwave accomplish what seemed to be an impossible feat after years of near-misses.
Fallon won its first-ever state title in February after sending seven to the final round and crowning four champions.
“Dan lives for wrestling and his passion for the sport is undeniable,” de Braga said. “It’s nice having Dan’s experience and knowledge in the room and it shows when our kids are on the mat. He’s fun, energetic and a phenomenal wrestler. This award is well earned and I’m glad I can call Dan one of my good friends as well as my right hand man in the wrestling room.”
After Fallon took third in the regional, it came back the following week to dominate the state championship.
Along with crowning four state champions, the Greenwave saw three place second and another take third, giving Fallon eight wrestlers in the top four after qualifying 10 for the state competition.
Shaw came back to the program five years ago and served under ex-coaches Mitch Overlie and Louie Mori before de Braga came on board this year. Shaw’s experience as a wrestler and now as a coach have paid dividends to the wrestling program. Along with Shaw and de Braga, Frank de Braga also assisted.
“When I got the job this year, I knew I needed an assistant who I could count on and be on the same page as me,” de Braga said. “Dan and Frank were nothing less than perfect. They’re guys that I could leave the room with them and know they would be pushed and taught exactly what I wanted. I wish I could give both my assistant coaches the award because without them, I don’t know where I would be.”