Manny Costa of St. John’s Prep, arguably the greatest wrestling coach in Massachusetts high school history, will be retiring at the end of this season.
Hired as a 23-year-old in 1990, Costa’s Prep teams have gone a remarkable 871-149-6 (.852 winning percentage) and 12 team championships (New England title, All-State crown, Division 1 and Division 1 dual meet titles). The Eagles have also won 28 Catholic Conference crowns — including 25 straight, soon to be 26.
Under Costa’s leadership, the Eagles have had 39 Division 1 individual state champions, 47 different wrestlers who have won at least 100 career matches, 11 St. John’s Prep Hall of Famers and eight grapplers who were inducted into the Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, Costa will conclude his career ranked No. 4 in U.S. high school history for dual meet wins by a coach.
Not surprisingly to those who know him best, the toughest thing about saying goodbye for Costa might be the tributes and accolades that come with this decision, as the long-time Peabody police officer is not a ‘farewell tour’ kind of guy.
“I’ll miss the bus rides and time in the stands and on the bench, bonding with wrestlers and parents, and building those lifelong connections,” said the Danvers native. “My favorite part of coaching has been teaching life lessons and staying in contact with alumni.”
Now 58 years old, Costa has always insisted his wrestlers call him only by his first name. He believes the practice elevates his wrestlers to the level-footing they deserve.
“I’ve always been ‘Manny,’ not ‘coach,’” he said. “It’s our team, not my team. We are equal parts, so we all go by given birth names or nicknames. I believe in a family atmosphere.”
He’s enjoyed three Wrestling Hall of Fame inductions: Massachusetts (2010), New England (2011) and National (2015). He was inducted into the Prep’s own Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014. He’s coached 27 All-Americans and 105 Academic All-Americans. Add to that 19 All-State champions, 12 New England champions and three national champions.
An 11-time Salem News Coach of the Year, Costa also owns the state record for dual meet wins, has masterminded a 114-match winning streak and coached his 1,000th dual meet in a victory over Londonderry, NH, last month.
In the meantime, Costa said he’s determined to treat this season’s end not as a farewell moment, but more of a ‘see you around.’ Fittingly, he let his team know weeks ago.
“Retiring as coach was a very difficult decision to make,” Costa said. “I love coaching, and I love my wrestlers like sons, like family. I decided it was time to retire from the police department and coaching to begin the next chapter in life.
“Believe me, I will continue to be a part of St John’s wrestling into the future.”