Muskogee High School has a new head wrestling coach but he’s no stranger to Muskogee or the program.

Steve Adair, who has been a part of the program, was recently elevated to the position of head coach for a program whose goal this year is to be in a state of continuous improvement and to refine skill sets while utilizing strengths.

Adair grew up on a farm in Clear Fork, Oklahoma and started wrestling at the age of seven.

“The only time my dad would take a break from the farm was to take me to a wrestling tournament. I invested a lot of time in wrestling which, in turn, allowed me the honor to achieve the ‘Record Breakers’ Tulsa Nationals All-Time Champions recognition for winning the Tulsa Nationals five times.”

Following high school, Adair went on to wrestle at NEO and then further his education with a master’s degree from Northeastern State. He has been coaching wrestling for 30 years in places such as Wagoner, Fayetteville and now Muskogee. Among coaches that he says have impacted his life are Big John Hammer, Charlie Neale, Dudley Hume and his father Sam. Adair recognizes that to build a successful program, you have to get kids involved early.

“A focus for me is to incorporate elementary school wrestling in a greater way. I’ve met with elementary school parents to help assist in building an elementary wrestling program. Last year we introduced wrestling to many novice wrestlers to help recruit Muskogee’s home-grown wrestlers into our program in years to come. Muskogee is near and dear to me as I had the privilege of wrestling for Muskogee Youth Wrestling many years back. Muskogee has contributed to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute back.”