Waynesburg University announces hirings of Ron Headlee as head wrestling coach, John Yates as assistant coach

WAYNESBURG (Feb. 15) – The Waynesburg University Department of Athletics announced the hiring of Ron Headlee as head wrestling coach Friday. He will assume the head coaching duties following next weekend’s competition at the NCAA Midwest Regionals in Crawfordsville, Ind.

Joining Headlee on the Yellow Jackets’ coaching staff will be John Yates, with whom Headlee worked as an assistant at Waynesburg Central High School in recent years.

“I’m elated to announce the hiring of not one, but two gentlemen that have such outstanding reputations in Western Pennsylvania with their wrestling backgrounds and coaching experiences,” said Director of Athletics Rudy Marisa.

Headlee brings an impressive record of success on the mat from around the Greene County area. The Waynesburg native started his coaching career at nearby Jefferson-Morgan High School, serving as head coach from 1988-97. While with the Rockets, he compiled an impressive 111-25-1 record and won five Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) team championships. Headlee also coached a total of 24 WPIAL champions, 15 state place winners and seven state championships.

“My two high school coaches, Joe Ayersman and Ralph Adamson, were alumni of Waynesburg, and I feel privileged to get the opportunity to keep a great tradition going,” said Headlee. “I am fortunate to bring with me a great assistant in John Yates, whom I feel will be a great asset to the Waynesburg program.”

Following his tenure at J-M, Headlee served as a junior high coach and assistant coach for the Waynesburg Central High School wrestling teams. While with the Raiders, he helped coach Coleman Scott, a three-time Pennsylvania state champion and three-time NCAA All-American at Oklahoma State.

Headlee graduated from Messiah College in 1982 with a degree in Health and Physical Education. He is a member of the Hall of Fame at Messiah after registering a career-record of 101-16-1 and earning All-American honors his senior season. (d3wrestle.com note – Headlee was the first NCAA All-American at Messiah)

He resides in Waynesburg with his wife, Karen, and their two children, Drew and Ethan, both of whom wrestle at the University of Pittsburgh.

Yates comes to the University following a successful stint as a head coach at Waynesburg Central, registering a record of 140-43 in 10 seasons. While with the Raiders he coached 15 WPIAL individual champions, 20 state place winners and six state champions.

Yates, a native of Cranberry Twp., Pa., graduated from Pitt in 1989 with a degree in Science Education following his four-year career with the Panthers’ wrestling team.