09/04/2025
Wishing Coach Dine the best in his future! He has done so much for the middle school program from wrestlers to even the coaches. Thank you Coach Dine!
Merrimack Wrestling Turns 40 — A Message from Coach
As Merrimack High School Wrestling celebrates its 40th anniversary this season, I find myself reflecting not only on the history of this incredible program but also on my own journey, both of which are nearing the four-decade mark...
The program began in 1985, built on the foundation laid by Jack Starr and George Havener. For many years, they guided both the middle and high school teams and were, fittingly, my coaches when I first stepped onto the mat in middle school back in 1998. Their influence left a lasting impression, and their commitment set a standard that many of us would try to live up to in the years ahead.
There was a time of transition in the early 2000s. My older brother, who graduated with the Class of 2003, had a different head coach every year he was in high school. That kind of turnover made it difficult to build consistency or culture. But my sophomore year, things changed. Sean Cullinane took over the program and brought stability, serving as head coach for eight years. He was supported by dedicated assistants like Mike Buldoc, Jim Waller, and Tim McMahon (Class of ’99), who volunteered when I was in high school.
After graduating high school in 2005, I went on to wrestle for four years at Ithaca College, later joining the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant during my grad year in 2009. Not long after that, Tim McMahon and I stepped into leadership roles at Merrimack, aided by Paul Beaulieu (who helped start the MYA program in town) additionally supported by an incredible network of alumni who returned to give back to the program.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with many former wrestlers, to name a few, who stepped up to coach, including Tim Capen, Cy Hebert, Paul Drone, Ryan Freed, Darrin Root, Dan Saia, Sean Mooney, Phoenyx Stopyra & Coaches Jereme Bachand, Adam Damon, and Kirk Tupper, who led the middle school program - Tyler Meehan as the youth level. Every winter we have returning alums dropping in to coach up the next wave of Tomahawks. Not only do we have alums currently coaching still, but we've also seen other alumni go on to coach in different places, spreading the Merrimack wrestling legacy even further. And while not Merrimack Alums, these people certainly are Tomahawks in their own right: Jerry Vance, Mike Marcotte, Tim Mclinden, Brett Wilson, Zack Hicks, Matt Snavely, Jeff Dewar, Mike Brody, Heather Meehan. We've had so much support from so many booster families over the years as well: the Stopyras, Theriaults, Moonys, Damons, Newmans, Serrentinos, Jones, Maglios, Gardenours, Pelrines - and countless others.
This sport, and this program, have been central to my life for the last 27 years. Wrestling taught me discipline, resilience, and how to push through adversity. Coaching gave me the chance to pass those lessons on. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together over the years, and grateful for the opportunity to have worked with so many talented and committed student-athletes.
But as I approach 40, the realities of personal and professional obligations make it harder to give the full-time commitment that this program deserves. So, after much thought, I’ll be stepping down as head coach and will be helping to transition the program to its next chapter.
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of reconnecting with many Merrimack wrestling alumni. These alums all have their own stories that have helped me better understand the full history of this program. I’m proud to have played a significant role in that story and am excited to see where it goes from here.
As the X-Man once called her, Coach Mrs. Dine, will see a lot more of me this winter. A huge shout out to her as she tended the homestead in my absence, was roused during the early wake ups and late nights, and made countless explanations at family gatherings informing my in-laws where I was every Saturday for 4 months and for what reason I needed to jet the day after X-Mas every year. She has always supported my coaching endeavors for many many seasons.
You’ll still see me around the mat from time to time. Wrestling’s in my blood and I won’t be far away. There's a quote from Dan Gable that we always include on the final piece of hardware we give to our graduating seniors at the banquet:
“Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.”
I’ve found that to be true not only for the sport, but for coaching as well.
Thank you all - for the memories, the support, and for being part of this remarkable journey.
With gratitude,
Coach Dine
