04/14/2026
The Deerfield wrestling community is saddened to share the passing of Hall of Fame Coach Tom Halford, the founding head coach of Deerfield High School wrestling.
Coach Halford led the program from 1959–1971, building a strong foundation that continues to impact the program today. During his tenure, his teams achieved three top-7 finishes at the state tournament (5th, 6th, and 7th) in an era before dual team state competition. He coached 18 state qualifiers, including 2 state champions, 3 runners-up, 4 third-place finishers, and 1 fourth-place finisher, along with four district championship teams.
He coaches Ted Parker and Dan Sherman and Sherman went on to become a 1973 NCAA Champion for University of Iowa.
A former NCAA All-American at the University of Iowa, Coach Halford was known not only for his success on the mat, but for developing athletes of strong character, discipline, and integrity. He later served as the Physical Education Department Chair, continuing to shape generations of students beyond wrestling.
Coach Halford’s legacy lives on through the countless athletes and individuals he influenced. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.