Wrestling: Lockport’s Josh Oster steps down

LOCKPORT – Just a few days after leading the Lockport wrestling team to a third-place finish in the state dual team tournament, Porters coach Josh Oster announced Wednesday he will be stepping down from that position. He will be pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership.

“I want to get into a bigger leadership role,” Oster said. “After I started teaching, i got my Masters, and then became chair of the Special Education Department at Lockport.

“I don’t do anything half way, so I know I can’t put in the time to get my doctorate and also to be a full-time head coach. That wouldn’t be fair to the kids or the wrestling program, so I decided to step down as head coach.”

Oster spent the last 11 years as the Porters’ coach and has built an impressive resumé. He has coached 11 IHSA individual state champions, had 41 all-state wrestlers, and 61 state qualifiers. His teams won nine regional championships, eight sectional titles and the 2017 Class 3A dual team state championship. His teams also finished fourth in 2015, third in 2016 and third in 2022.

Oster said that the school will post the job and conduct interviews, but that his recommendation for the position will be his brother, Jamison, who is currently an assistant coach. He also said that he will continue to volunteer without pay as his time permits.

“Coaches matter in wrestling, but they don’t matter as much as people think,” he said. “We do provide the kids with opportunities and give them direction, but they are the ones putting in the time and the hard work. It would be easy for them to want to go hang out with their buddies and do regular teenager stuff, but they buy into the program and dedicate themselves to it. We as coaches can’t do that for them.

“I will still be around to give advice to whomever takes over. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by quality assistants and volunteers, and whatever help I can give, I will.”

Oster said that the decision was not only professional, but also personal.

“I have a four-year old daughter,” he said. “As a head coach, I didn’t have a lot of spare time. By volunteering, it will still allow me to be in wrestling mode, but also give me the flexibility to be with my daughter when she has stuff going on.”