​Wadsworth wrestling will search for its third head coach in five seasons after Louden Gordon submitted his resignation on the morning of July 10. Gordon, a Wadsworth state champion and a member of the Grizzlies’ 2010 state title team, had led the program for two seasons. “This decision did not come easy, as it was one of the most difficult choices I have had to make,” Gordon said in a press release. “My goal is and always will be to mentor students and turn them into not only better athletes but also exceptional students, reliable friends and model citizens.” Coaching wrestling is a full-time commitment that requires substantial hours, and Gordon noted that life outside of coaching had become increasingly important to him. “Recently, my wife gave birth to our first child during the wrestling season, and we could not be more excited. At this stage in our lives, I want to devote more time to making memories and building our family.”
Throughout his two seasons with the Grizzlies, Gordon guided 10 state qualifiers, including a state runner-up in Jacob Earnest (2026) and several state placers: Kyle Jardine (3rd in 2026), Kolten Mellon (5th in 2025 and 2026), Blake Frantz (7th in 2026), Jack Dinwiddie (7th in 2025) and Brody Grimm (7th in 2025). Gordon’s teams finished 11th at the state tournament in 2026 and 15th in 2025. A photo from the 2026 Wadsworth Grizzly Invitational at Wadsworth High School shows Gordon watching Blake Frantz wrestle Archbishop Alter’s Ryan Morgan.
Wadsworth’s athletic director Tim Campbell acknowledged the significance of already having a former state champion as head coach, calling it a “huge blessing.” He added that Gordon’s departure will be a notable loss for both the wrestling community and the team. The district will post the opening internally for 10 days and will consider external candidates if necessary. Campbell emphasized that the direction of the program remains uncertain at this moment; with it being mid-July, there is time but no definitive plan, and he noted that the coaching staff has not yet convened to determine the path forward.
Campbell also cautioned against rushing to hire a “big-name” figure. “A big splash is one of those sexy terms that people use,” he said. “The more important goal is making the correct decision to ensure ongoing excellence in wrestling, with the kids at the forefront of our efforts to build a program capable of competing for a state championship.” Whether the choice comes from within the district or from outside, Campbell said, the program will undergo a thorough search designed to identify candidates who can achieve that objective while maintaining a focus on the student-athletes’ development.