Williams ends 12-year tenure as Prairie wrestling coach

CEDAR RAPIDS - Family came first for Blake Williams.

His wife and two children were at the heart of his latest decision.

Williams met with his Cedar Rapids Prairie wrestlers Monday, informing them he has accepted a teaching position with Solon Community Schools next school year and will step down as the Hawks head coach. The move ends a 12-year tenure at Prairie that followed four years, leading the Spartan program. The search for his replacement will start immediately.

'It was a very difficult decision,” Williams said. 'I had to think a lot about it over the extended weekend.”

Williams will teach physical education for fifth through eighth grades. He has a 9-year-old daughter in third grade and a 7-year-old son in first grade at Solon. His wife, Emy Williams, is the boys and girls head cross country coach. He said he couldn't pass up the chance to be more directly involved with them each day.

'It's a chance to take part of their everyday life,” Williams said. 'It's just about being able to be around them on a daily basis.”

Williams expressed a desire to be involved in wrestling in the future. He helped resurrect the Prairie program. Williams led the Hawks to a 253-57 dual record, including a 104-14 mark in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Prairie won its third straight MVC Super Meet title in January.

'I have nothing but gratitude for Blake and what he has done for College Community School District as an Educator and our Head wrestling coach,” Prairie Activities Director Rocky Bennett said in a news release. 'He has done a lot of great things for our kids and I wish him the best of luck as he transitions into the school district with the rest of his family. He will be missed.”

Williams helped Prairie return to a consistent top-five team, coaching 51 state medalists. He guided three Hawks to four state titles. Phil Sexton won the 140-pound title in 2006; Zach Witte won 145 and 152 titles in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Josh Wenger claimed the 138-pound title in February.

Prairie's best team finish at the traditional meet under Williams was third at the 2013 tournament. Prairie was fourth in 2008. Williams also led Prairie to nine State Duals appearance since 2005, including a state runner-up performance in 2006.

He said meeting with the wrestlers was emotional. Williams said they understood and knew why he made the decision, calling them great kids.

'I did most of the talking,” Williams said. 'They listened and absorbed everything. They were surprised.”

Williams said he is proud the program did things the right way during his time with the Hawks, noting he received the wrestlers' best efforts. Prairie was fourth this season and returns six state qualifiers. Sam Uthoff was third at 126. Marcus England (106) and Taylor Mehmen (195) were fourth and eighth, respectively.

'They'll be fine,” Williams said. 'They have a strong team coming back. They will pick up where they left off.”

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