A-J’s Bittle earns coach of year honor

Former Anna-Jonesboro Community High School wrestling coach Rick Bittle was named the Southern Illinois Coaches Association Coach of the Year for the 2010-2011 season.

Bittle, who resigned his coaching duties at the end of last season, coached for six years and compiled a 78-53 record.

His team finished 20-3 last season which tied A-J for the Southern Illinois River-to-River Mississippi Division Conference title. It was A-J’s first conference title won in wrestling.

Bittle’s records over his six season tenure were 3-20, 12-12, 10-10, 16-3, 17-4 and last season’s 20-3 mark.

“It’s still an undiscovered sport,” Bittle said. “But, I think we’ll have a very good team coming back. They have a lot of good kids who work hard in practice and understand what it takes to be a winner.”

Kevin Stephens is currently the wrestling head coach and is also A-J’s softball coach. Bittle plans to continue as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach for the Wildcats. Bittle’s son, Brock, a former A-J grappler, is also an assistant coach.