Winningest college wrestling coah Pat Pecora passes away at 70

(WTAJ) — The winningest coach in college wrestling history has died after a long battle with cancer.

Pat Pecora died Sunday at the age of 70 after what our partners at The Tribune-Democrat called a “long, inspirational battle with cancer.”

Pecora built the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown wrestling program into a nationally known team, leading the Mountain Cats to more wins than any coach in college wrestling history.

Two-time NCAA Champion Thad Benton was coached by Pecora and had this to say:

“ He instilled the kind of work ethic into young men that they needed. He was hard at times but also knew when to be compassionate.  He knew how hard to push someone to their breaking point, then push them that little bit extra. So I knew that when times got hard, there was always a little more left in the tank. That flows over into life. When you feel like you’re down and out “find a way”. Our old but classic team theme “Dig Deep”. I learned so many life lessons from that man to count.  Even though he was pushing me to become a better wrestler, his main goal was to make me a better man. I hope I always hope I made him proud and it was obvious seeing him at the softball field this past summer when he was asking me about my girls and what all they are into. He could see that all of his lectures, lessons and advice all paid off in the end. I am a better  man, father, husband and coach than I could have ever been if it weren’t for him. “

In 48 seasons as the Pitt-Johnstown wrestling coach, Pecora led the Mountain Cats to 661 wins and a .807 winning percentage (661-154-5). On Feb. 7, 2020, Pecora earned his 617th win and broke a 46-year-old record, becoming the all-time winningest coach in college wrestling at any level.

The National Wrestling Coaches Association named Pecora Coach of the Year four times (1995, 1999, 2019, 2022). His Mountain Cats won 25 NCAA regional titles and had a streak of eight consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships.

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Pecora earned 22 regional coach of the year honors. He’s been inducted into nine halls of fame, including the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame and the Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame.

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