A pair of accomplished Westmoreland County high school wrestling coaches recently decided to step down from their positions. Burrell’s Josh Shields and Dan Boring of Southmoreland resigned earlier this month, creating significant voids at their respective schools.

Shields has enjoyed nearly unparalleled success during his tenure. A Burrell alum, Shields guided the Buccaneers program for the past 11 years, capturing nine WPIAL Class 2A team titles, including this past campaign. He took over the program in the 2013-14 season, and helped the Bucs win championships in each of his first eight seasons.

“It’s really something that’s been looming since the birth of my oldest, who is 4 years old,” Shields revealed of his decision. “Wrestling for the past 11 years has truly been my No. 1 priority – giving 110 percent to the Burrell wrestling community – it was tough to do.”

Last year, Shields informed a small group of confidants, including his assistant coaches, that the 2023-24 campaign would be his last. He certainly left on a high note, as he helped guide the Bucs to another district crown. Burrell overmatched top-seeded Burgettstown 41-20 in early February, giving 17 Bucs wrestlers their first WPIAL gold.

“I’d be lying if I said that didn’t make it a little bit easier to walk away knowing that we did win,” he noted.

Shields was also a decorated wrestler for Burrell, compiling a record of 144-41 on the mat before his graduation in 2006. He wrestled collegiately at Mercyhurst, and joined the Bucs as an assistant shortly after wrapping up his time with the Lakers.

Boring followed a similar path in his career, as he wrestled at Derry Area until his graduation in 2008. He then continued on the mat at Waynesburg University.

Shortly after his time as a grappler ended, Boring transitioned to coaching. He joined the Southmoreland wrestling program 10 years ago, and was elevated to the varsity head coach six years ago.

During that time, he amassed a record of 60-32 with the Scotties, including a playoff appearance in Class 2A this past campaign. Ironically, Boring’s Scotties lost to Derry Area in the first round.

Boring previously also served as the Southmoreland athletic director, but he gave up that role a year ago to accept the position as an associate principal in the Derry Area School District. He has since been elevated to the head principal at Grandview Elementary, prompting him to step away from the mat.

“I don’t think people realize the amount of work that goes into being the head coach at any high school-level sport,” Boring indicated. “It’ll be a nice little break for my family.”

That family consists of three stepdaughters, as well as two young sons.

Both coaches anticipate still being involved in the sport in some capacity, and they didn’t close the door on being head coaches once again in the future.

“Because of the impact that wrestling has had on my life, I will continue to share that with other people,” Shields noted of his desire to assist Burrell in a volunteer role, as well as continue at the Mat Factory in Lower Burrell. “I will always be involved in the sport.”

“I’m not ready to say I’m done coaching forever,” Boring added.

While Boring’s teams racked up plenty of wins during his tenure, he fondly recalls a dramatic comeback several years ago against Mount Pleasant after the Vikings jumped out to a 31-0 lead. Boring also highlighted the individual success of many of his grapplers, including numerous state qualifiers.

Beyond the victories, however, Boring will remember the deep connections from his time at Southmoreland.

“The biggest thing would be the relationships with the kids that I built,” he said. “I’ve just been blessed to be a part of the community and the district, in general. I’ve spent 10 years of my life as a Scotty between teaching, AD, and coaching.”

Shields conveyed similar feelings during his time at Burrell, as the wins and championships were secondary to the relationships and life lessons.

“It was really getting some of those fringe guys who just started believing in wrestling later on in life, and they sort of committed fully to the sport,” he said of his favorite moments guiding the program. “You can truly see the impact the sport had on them.

“It’s been an honor. Since day one, my personal goal was just to make the people proud,” Shields intimated.