Wrestling coach Matt Pinero moving to Assistant Principal role at St. Paul’s

One of the top wrestling coaches in the area is moving on up.

Matt Pinero has stepped down as the head coach at St. Paul’s to assume the position of assistant principal at the school.

Pinero, who wrestled at Archbishop Rummel, spent six years running an outstanding program after succeeding long-time coach Craig Ketelsen.

In 2020, Pinero was named Louisiana Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

In 2021, Pinero guided the Wolves to their first-ever Division I state championship.

In six seasons, St. Paul’s amassed a 74-7 record in dual meet competition. Pinero was the St. Tammany Parish Coach of the Year in each of his six seasons on the job.

Pinero issued the following statement on the move:

“As someone who has been fortunate enough to win a state championship at Saint Paul’s, I can say with confidence that maintaining a championship program is a full-time commitment, and the realities of my new role will not allow me to give the team the time and effort necessary to ensure that level of success. To settle for less would be a disservice to our school, our alumni, our parents, and, of course, our athletes. While my time as head coach has ended, my commitment to the success of the program has not. I will continue to assist the coaching staff and our athletes in all the ways that I can.”

The search for a new head coach in underway.