One of the most successful wrestling coaches in state history, Chad Nass’ legacy at South Kitsap High School is forever cemented among the greats as he’s now in the Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame.
Nass was one of 11 people and two teams honored in the 2022 class Jan. 28.
He is recognized as a former state champion wrestler at South Kitsap, capturing his title in 1992. However, it’s his resume as a coach, including 14 regular season league titles, a 175-23 record in dual matches and a multitude of individual and team state championships that made him hall-of-fame material.
Nass maintained as he had during his career a selfless attitude about the nomination and induction, saying he would not have gotten where he was without the support of those around him. “It’s really nice to be recognized—not just me, but all of the assistant coaches that I’ve worked with over the years, and all my former wrestlers,” he said. “If they weren’t great people and doing great things, then I wouldn’t be getting this nomination.”
One of the reasons his time at South Kitsap was so impactful was how he managed to build relationships with each wrestler. Wrestling, while scored as a team sport, has always relied on how wrestlers train to compete in their respective weight class and adjust to situations during matches. Being a former wrestler, Nass said he understood how important it was to have a coach be one of their strongest supporters.
“With a sport like wrestling, you don’t have to be the most talented, but if you believe in yourself, and you’re willing to put in the work, and you’re willing to stay disciplined in all aspects of your life, then you can achieve a lot on the wrestling mat,” he said.
Nass’ impact is still felt within the program since his retirement from coaching in 2021. Nass was replaced by a former wrestler of his in Conner Hartmann, and the Wolves have continued to dominate much of the South Puget Sound League and 4A state brackets.
Nass said he felt great about the progress the program was making without him, and that Hartmann was making great strides in his young coaching career. “I feel like he’s done great and continues to push to new heights, so that’s something that makes me really proud of him and of the kids and of the community as they move forward,” he said.
