Dane Johnson started wrestling when he was 4, but without years of training and development, his passion wouldn’t have led him to where he is today: the boys varsity wrestling coach at Valley High School.
Now, his mission is to give kids the opportunity to train year-round for wrestling.
Johnson, 35, of New Kensington recently started a wrestling club that runs when the typical wrestling season — November into early March — is not in session.
He’s been training wrestlers of all ages, boys and girls, through the new club since the end of February. He just completed his 11th season coaching.
“With how competitive Western Pennsylvania is, the majority of the top boys, and now girls in the state … they’re getting year-round training,” he said. “I kind of wanted to give our kids just an opportunity where they can come train all year round and just to try to help kids any way I can.”
The new wrestling club runs two days a week, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Johnson said. It’s based out of the wrestling room at Valley High School’s field house. Drop-in sessions are $10 for New Kensington-Arnold students and $15 for students from other districts.
Johnson said the times and days of the wrestling club can vary, and updated information can be found on the club’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
View this profile on InstagramD1 DANE-GER Wrestling Club | Wrestling Training (@danegerwrestling) • Instagram photos and videos
Depending on the day, Johnson said, the numbers of club attendees can vary — 10 to 12 kids one night, four to six another night.
“Right now, it’s not prime wrestling season; it’s kind of more the freestyle season,” he said. “There are a lot of people that are training that. … It’s a perfect group of kids that have been coming through the door, pretty consistent group.”
Johnson said he’s hoping to get more wrestlers to show up and “put work and time and effort in,” and he’s looking forward to seeing what the club will look like closer to wrestling season later this year.
“If kids/parents want to show up to a place where the kids will work hard, and fundamentals (will) really be emphasized, I encourage anyone to come out and give it a try,” he said.
Johnson credits his wrestling success, in part, to his parents putting him in a wrestling club at a young age.
“From there, it was just wrestling clubs and private coaches the whole way into high school and actually even through high school,” he said. “The goal is to help anyone that wants to wrestle and attend … get them good training partners — it will benefit our kids.”
Johnson said he has been “fortunate to have great coaches and wrestling partners” during his wrestling career. He attended New Kensington-Arnold schools through eighth grade and then finished his high school wrestling career at Shady Side Academy.
In college, Johnson wrestled for the University of Pittsburgh — winning the EWL Conference championship and qualifying for the NCAA Championships as a redshirt freshman.
“It’s cool to try to work with kids to see their … progress, that’s really cool,” Johnson said of his job. “Just to try to be a positive influence, not only in wrestling but in life.
“Now, I’m seeing kids that are close to 30 years old, are married, with kids, they’ll come back to the room, talk to the kids, just stop in.”
A packed schedule
By day, Johnson works for the school district’s maintenance crew.
Joe Skura, athletics and activities director at New Kensington-Arnold, said he’s excited Johnson is able to run a club for local wrestlers — and he’s proud to work alongside him.
“Dane is an exemplary coach who leads with the utmost professionalism,” Skura said. “He is an elite wrestler with many accolades and will help our youths to learn and love the sport he has been so dedicated to and successful in.”
Johnson is also a role model for the district’s athletes, Skura said.
“He expects dedication and commitment to the sport, as well as sportsmanship, at all times,” Skura said. “Coach Johnson is the kind of guy you want working with your student-athlete — teaching wrestling and important life skills as well.”
Johnson said he’s grateful the district entrusted him with the head coaching position.
“I really enjoy just helping the kids in any possible way that I can, just trying to be a positive role model in a lot of their lives, be there for whatever they may need — it’s been great,” he said. “Coming to coaching public school and coaching kids that maybe didn’t have the same opportunities that I had growing up, (it was) definitely an adjustment that I could see.
“I definitely just really enjoy trying to help the kids in any way I possibly can … sometimes that can just be sitting down and having a genuine conversation.”
One of his favorite aspects of coaching at the high school is watching the kids grow and mature — even outside of wrestling.
“To watch kids who may struggle academically, or with issues that life may bring their way, come in and buy into a structured program and come out better on the other end, I couldn’t be more proud,” Johnson said.
“I always try to make sure the kids know I’ll always be there for them long after wrestling is over, and I think a lot of them have felt that over the years.”