Cumberland County head wrestling coach Micaiah Storey is only a few months into the job, but he said he has already leaned into the challenge with the same energy he once brought to the football field.
Storey, hired in July, arrived at Cumberland County High School earlier this year as a defensive line coach for the Jets’ football program. He also teaches lifetime wellness and physical education, making Storey a familiar presence around campus before stepping into his first head-coaching opportunity.
“It’s been great,” Storey said. “Going from a student athlete playing high school, college, playing multiple different sports it is different because you have to have more of the, instead of having that athlete mentality of having to go hard at everything, you kind of have to take a step back and examine some stuff.”
Storey said the adjustment has been as much mental as physical. Storey, a Rockwood High School graduate who played two seasons of college football at Tusculum University, said running a program requires a different level of commitment.
Storey said wrestling initially was not in his plans. The program needed a leader, and he saw an opportunity, not just to help the Jets, but to grow.
“I’m very big on taking opportunities to learn and grow,” Storey said. “I know wrestling’s not a sport I’m very familiar with.”
Storey said he is blessed to have two assistants that help him out on daily tasks these first few months. While new to wrestling, Storey has leaned heavily on his strength and conditioning background. During the fall, Storey said he brought football players into the room to train, hoping to build toughness and athleticism in a sport he is quickly learning to appreciate.
“I took the job just because I wanted to learn,” Storey said. “I wanted to know what it was like to be a head coach, those responsibilities just so I can grow professionally.”
Storey coached his first meet this past month.
