Troy Tirapelle

Head Coach / Director of Wrestling

Coach Tirapelle is in his 18th year of coaching overall, and 16th as the Director of the Buchanan High School Wrestling Program. He received his first coaching experience as the head coach of Central High School in Fresno in 2009 where he spent 2 years.

In his tenure at Buchanan, Coach Tirapelle has led his team to a record 7 straight California State Championships, and 9 overall. The 2026-2027 team will be welcoming a lot of newcomers to the lineup as many seniors graduated and moved into the collegiate arena. Still, they will continue to strive to be the program every other one wants to emulate.

Coach Tirapelle is married to his lovely wife, Casey, of 14 years, and they have 4 children of their own: Jaxon (13), Austyn (11), Kennedy (9) and Tanner (7).

AS A COACH...

9 CIF State Championships
10 CIF Section Championships
10 Conference Championships
7x Public School National Champions
2026 Overall National Champions
2018-2019 USA Today National Coach of the Year
2024-2025 NWCA National Coach of the Year
2025-2026 NHSCA National Coach of the Year

AS A WRESTLER...

High School -

Clovis High School (2000-2004)
1st Team USA Dream Team (2004)
3x California State Champion
3x Section Champion (4x Finalist)

College -

University of Illinois Wrestling (2004-2009)
2nd Big Ten Championships (2006)
NCAA Qualifier
4x Academic Big Ten