Central Catholic selects Leffler to coach wrestlers

Leffler NOT BLADE PHOTO Enlarge

Richard "Doc" Leffler, who guided St. Francis de Sales to state championships in 1964 and 1970, has been hired as head wrestling coach at Central Catholic.

Leffler, who coached for 15 years at St. Francis, replaces Mitch Naufel, who retired after last

season.

Tony Guerra, the former Waite and University of Findlay standout, was hired as Central's assistant coach. Guerra was a two-time NCAA Division II national champion.

"With Doc and Tony, we will have a superb one-two punch to continue the wrestling traditions started by Mitch Naufel," Central Catholic athletic director Bill Axe said.

Leffler has been involved with the Irish program since 2007, serving as head technique coach.

Leffler still holds the state record for longest dual-meet victories by a coach without a loss. His Knights went 120-0 from 1961-72.

Central finished fourth in the Division II state meet in 2009 and 2010.

While coach at St. Francis, Leffler had 11 individuals win state titles. His 1970 team won the state title when schools competed for the last time in one division. He is a member of the Ohio High School Coaches Association hall of fame.

Leffler, a DeVilbiss graduate, placed third in the state in 1951. He wrestled for the University of Toledo and won two Mid-American Conference championships.