Steve Tirapelle
Head Coach - Clovis High School

Coach Tirapelle is in his 26th year of coaching and 12th year as the head coach of the Cougars. His coaching tenure began in 1983 at Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento, CA. In 25 years as a head coach, Coach Tirapelle has coached 50 state medalists and 14 state champions, 44 of those placewinners and 12 champions coming at Clovis High. In his 11 years with the Cougars, Coach Tirapelle has lead the team to 5 Valley Championships, 8 'Top 5' State Finishes, and two State Championships in 2003 and 2008. The most recent State Championship in 2008 is the eighth in Clovis history and moves the school into sole possession for the all-time best for any school in California.

Coach Tirapelle is widely regarded as one of the premier coaches in the state, most notably for leading his three sons to 8 state titles and 9 finals appearances in 12 years, also tops in the state for a single family. His three sons are all current or former scholarship athletes at the University of Illinois. Coach Tirapelle wrestled at Ponderosa High School in Placerville, CA and later at Humboldt State University where he became an NCAA Division II All-American. His wife is Jayne. His sons are Adam, Alex, & Troy and his daughter, Brooke.