About Isaiah Garrett

Hello! My name is Isaiah Garrett, and I have a deep-rooted passion for wrestling and coaching. My journey in wrestling has been anything but conventional, and I want to share my story with you.

If you ask my Uncle Jonathan, he would tell you I’ve been wrestling my whole life because he witnessed my twin brother and I wrestle on our grandfather’s living room floor since we were in diapers. I started folkstyle wrestling though after a football coach told my mom about the sport. I was 12 years old and was hooked instantly. I saw success early on as well. I won and placed at many local youth and middle school tournaments, and qualified for the Ohio MS State Championships. By the end of my eighth-grade year, my third year of wrestling, I knew I wanted to be a teacher and coach when I got older and a state champion before I left high school. I wrestled varsity for three different high school teams. Freshman year, I lived in my hometown, Cincinnati, Ohio. Unfortunately, I became academically ineligible for the second half of the season and missed out on the postseason. My sophomore year took me to one of the top wrestling programs in Virginia, Colonial Forge. I earned the varsity spot at 160 lbs through wrestle-offs but wrestled at 170 lbs during most of the season due to an injury on the team. When the original 170 wrestler returned, I lost my spot and didn't get to compete in the postseason, despite our team winning the state title that year. Out of spite, I transferred schools.

Junior year, I wrestled at Stafford Sr. High and had a promising season until I was caught smoking marijuana at a hotel before the postseason. This mistake got me kicked off the team, and for the third time, I missed out on a chance to compete at the state level and fulfill my dreams of being a state champion. Feeling defeated and frustrated, I quit wrestling and focused on working at Hardee's, prioritizing earning money over chasing my wrestling dreams.

During my senior year, I worked instead of wrestled, while my twin brother continued and became a state placer. Post-graduation, life moved quickly—I got married, had a child, and joined the military. After my divorce and being away from my daughter, I started volunteer coaching a youth wrestling team at Ft. Drum, NY. This experience reignited my love for wrestling and coaching.

Upon discharge from the Army, I returned to Cincinnati and continued coaching at various youth clubs and a high school. While working as an Electrical Apprentice and trying sales, I felt unfulfilled. Seeking guidance, I turned to God and felt called to invest more in the youth. This led me to pursue a bachelor's degree and eventually become a teacher. As I completed my degree, I worked as a Campus Monitor and Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach, and later as the Head Coach.

Now, I am going into my fourth season with the Sahuaro Wrestling Program and my third as Head Coach. I am also going into my second year in the classroom as a Social Studies Teacher. My journey has been unique and challenging, but it has shaped me into a dedicated coach who is committed to helping my student-athletes excel on and off the mat. I believe in using my experiences to inspire and guide them towards becoming their best selves.

Current Coaching Accolades: (2021-Present)

• 1 AIA Div. III State Placer

• 5 AIA Div. III State Qualifiers

• 2 NWCA Academic All-Americans

• 3 AZ Freestyle State Placers

• 1 AZ Greco-Roman State Placer

• 2 Student-Athletes who pursued college and continued athletics after high school

• 1 Student-Athlete who enlisted in the US Armed Forces after high school

• 2 Student-Athlete who pursued full-time employment after high school