Hall of Fame
John Jeffire came to The University of Findlay in 1989 to accept a job as a senior lecturer in English and as the head wrestling coach. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college athletics. Coach Jeffire mastered this and went on to achieve success that no one thought was possible in wrestling at UF. During his eight-year career at Findlay, he produced 43 NAIA All-Americans, live NAIA Individual National Champions, and six NAIA Academic All-Americans. His teams competed against the best wrestling programs in the region, in all divisions, and had success. He remains the winningest coach in UF history with a record of 70-22-2. His teams compiled a 11-8 record against NAIA Division I schools, had five NAIA National Meet top 10 finishes, and his career highlight was achieved in 1995 when the Oiler “Roughnecks” brought home an NAIA National wrestling title. For his efforts, Coach Jeffire was named the 1995 NAIA National Wrestling Coach of the Year and was a member and former president of the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Association. In 1998, he was inducted into the Hancock County Athletic Hall of Fame and since his days at Findlay, he has twice been named the Michigan Wrestling Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year. John graduated with his B.A. from St. Lawrence University, his M.A. from Northeastern University and his M.A.T. from Boston University. He currently resides in Clinton Township, Mich., with his wife and two children. He is currently the head wrestling coach and English teacher at Chippewa Valley High School.
