Coach Jose Howard AZ: Heart, Soul, & Faith
Heart, Soul, and Faith: Wrestling Will Transform Your Life
By Jose Howard, Coach – Tucson Pride
Edited by Bill X. Barron
Tucson is where I’ve grown up, where I’ve learned, and where I’ve chosen to give back. Co-raised by my grandparents, they introduced me to faith, the foundation I carry with me every day, on and off the mat.
I started wrestling at Chaparral Junior High, stepping onto the mat for the first time in 8th grade. From that moment, wrestling became more than a sport; it became the blueprint for how I live my life, Biblically and practically.
The mat doesn’t lie. It has a way of exposing you: your fears, your strengths, your weaknesses, and your potential. It does the same for me as a coach. It reveals my fears, my love for the sport, the paradoxes I face, and the patience I need to develop. Coaching is a journey of constant learning and self-reflection.
Every day I step onto the mat, I’m reminded that this is precisely where I’m meant to be, guiding the next generation through the lessons this sport teaches us all.
One of the most pivotal and painful moments in my life as a competitor came with my first varsity loss, a loss that still lingers in my mind. It wasn’t just the sting of defeat that hurt; it was the crushing realization that I had let fear take control when everything was on the line.
In that dark moment, when I felt like I had nothing left, my grandparents stepped in with the kind of love and wisdom that only they could offer. They introduced me to Jesus, and that moment became the turning point in my life.
The verse Romans 8:28 became my lifeline: “And we know that all things work together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Those words hit me like a wave, washing over all my pain and regret. They showed me that no matter how dark things seemed, there was a purpose behind it all, and God was working for my good, even when I couldn’t see it.
That realization changed everything for me. After high school, I started volunteering at Tucson High School, helping out the coaching staff. During that season in 1991, I found my true calling.
I saw those kids struggling with the same fears and obstacles that had once consumed me, and it broke my heart. I knew exactly what they were going through: the doubt, the fear, the loneliness. Thus, I realized I had something to offer them, not just as a coach, but as someone who had been through the fire and come out the other side.
I started to weave the lessons I had learned from my darkest moment into my coaching. I wasn’t just teaching them how to wrestle; I was sharing my story, my failures, and the strength I found in God.
This new “why” gave me a purpose beyond anything I had ever imagined. It wasn’t just about winning matches; it was about helping these kids weather the storms of life. Wrestling became the platform through which I could introduce them to the same hope and love that had saved me.
Seeing those kids hold onto the lessons I shared, lessons born from my own pain, was nothing short of incredible. It wasn’t just about their success on the mat; it was about seeing them grow into strong, resilient individuals who knew they weren’t alone and who knew they had a purpose.
The moment I transitioned from being a competitor to becoming a coach was not just a change in my career – it was a defining moment in my life, one that touched the deepest parts of who I am. After my senior year, I continued to compete in freestyle tournaments, but as the folkstyle season began, I felt something shifting inside me.
I started volunteering as a coach at Tucson High in 1991, and that’s when I felt it, a pull so strong it felt like destiny, calling me to something greater than myself. I realized that coaching wasn’t just about passing on skills; it was about reaching out to others who were standing at the same crossroads I had once faced, lost and alone.
When I was a young wrestler, I didn’t have someone in my corner who truly saw me and understood the battles I was fighting – not just with my opponents but within myself. That loneliness, that deep, gnawing ache, is something I never wanted another athlete to feel.
When I stepped into the role of coach, I did it with the determination to be the person I never had, one who could see beyond the sweat and the struggle to the heart of the athlete. I wanted to be the one who could look a kid in the eye and say, “I see you. I know how hard this is. And you can do this.”
I felt a responsibility, not just to teach wrestling, but to be there in the moments that mattered the most, the moments when these kids were questioning everything, including themselves.
Coaching became a mission for me, a mission to help these young athletes navigate their own journeys, to help them see that the mountains they faced were not insurmountable. I began sharing my own story with them, not to boast but to let them know they weren’t alone.
I wanted them to understand that I had faced the same fears, the same doubts, and that I had come out on the other side. I wanted them to know that if I could do it, so could they. Every time I see one of them push through a tough match, I see myself, and it brings me back to that place where I made a promise to myself to never let them feel as alone as I once did.
Watching these kids grow, not just as wrestlers but as human beings, has been the most rewarding experience of my life. When I see a young athlete transform from someone who’s unsure of themselves into a confident, resilient champion, it fills me with a pride that’s impossible to put into words.
Opening the Tucson Pride Wrestling Club (TPWC) program and working with kids as young as four has deepened my sense of purpose even further. To see these young children step onto the mat, full of potential, and to guide them as they begin to realize that potential is a privilege I don’t take lightly.
The qualities that made me a successful competitor—resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to the sport—are the same qualities I bring to my coaching. But what I pour into my athletes goes beyond technique or strategy. I pour my heart and soul into them.
I’m there with them in the trenches, sharing in their struggles, their victories, and their defeats. I’m not just teaching them to wrestle; I’m teaching them to believe in themselves, to push past their limits, and to become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the mat.
Coaching isn’t just a role I play—it’s the fulfillment of a promise I made to myself long ago. It’s my way of giving back to a sport that gave me so much, of being the support system I never had, and of ensuring that these kids know they are never alone in their battles.
The bond I share with my athletes, the trust they place in me, and the privilege of watching them grow into strong, capable individuals are what keep me going.
This calling is what I was meant to do, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Coaching is my purpose, my passion, and my way of making sure that no athlete ever feels like they have to face the world alone.
The essence of my coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that wrestling is a powerful metaphor for life itself. It mirrors the good times, the struggles, the disappointments, and the triumphs we all face.
Wrestling teaches resilience, discipline, and perseverance, qualities that are essential both on the mat and in everyday life. But beyond these, I see wrestling as a vehicle for something even more profound: the development of strong moral character and a foundation of faith.
At the heart of our program are Biblical principles that guide everything we do. These principles, combined with the challenges inherent in wrestling, help shape our athletes into individuals of integrity and strength.
Our wrestling club has evolved into something more than just a place to train and compete; it has become a ministry. We preach the gospel, and we embody the love and sacrifice of our Lord, not just collectively but uniquely and individually for each person who walks through our doors.
Every practice, every match, and every interaction is an opportunity to live out and share this message. In practical terms, this philosophy shapes how I coach.
I tailor my approach to each athlete, understanding that they are not just wrestlers but individuals on their own life journeys. Some need tough love, others need encouragement, but all require the truth of who they are in Christ.
My goal is not just to create successful wrestlers but to guide young men and women toward becoming strong, morally grounded individuals who understand that the actual battle is not on the mat but in their hearts, minds, and souls.
Through wrestling, we teach them to fight the good fight, to overcome not just physical opponents but the more profound challenges that life presents, always grounded in faith and the love of our Savior.
As a coach, I take immense honor in teaching my athletes that wrestling isn’t just about mastering fundamentals. It’s about building character, character that will serve them long after they leave the mat.
Wrestling is an influential teacher, revealing the essence of who we are and shaping who we can become. The qualities that lead to success on the mat – resilience, adaptability, humility, and an unyielding work ethic – are the same qualities that define a person’s character in every aspect of life.
Resilience is what separates the good from the great on the mat. In life, it’s what allows my athletes to overcome obstacles, face challenges head-on, and never back down, no matter how difficult the journey.
Perhaps the most important trait of all, humility, grounds an athlete. Wrestling humbles us all. It strips away ego and demands respect, not just for the sport but also for ourselves and our opponents.
I take great pride in instilling humility in my athletes, encouraging them to see beyond their victories and defeats to the more profound lessons in every experience. This humility translates into empathy, understanding, and respect for others that will guide them in every walk of life.
An unyielding work ethic is the foundation of all success. Wrestling demands everything – time, effort, sweat, and often tears. But through this rigorous discipline, my athletes learn that hard work isn’t just about winning matches; it’s about committing to excellence in all they do.
Wrestling is about so much more than techniques and fundamentals. It’s about shaping young men and women into people of integrity, resilience, and heart—individuals who can stand tall in the face of adversity, who can adapt and thrive in any circumstance, and who carry themselves with humility and respect.
The lessons learned on the mat are lessons for life. I am proud to guide my athletes in this journey, helping them build not just wrestling skills, but the kind of character that will serve them for the rest of their lives. This is what wrestling is truly about, and this is the legacy I strive to pass on every day.
What makes my coaching truly unique is the way I intertwine wrestling lessons with the deeper currents of life and faith. To me, wrestling isn’t just a sport – it’s a profound metaphor for the human experience.
Every struggle on the mat, every victory, and every defeat mirrors the challenges, trials, and triumphs we encounter in our daily lives. My coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that the most significant victories aren’t those won in matches, but those won in the hearts and minds of the athletes as they grow into strong, faithful, and resilient individuals.
Through these teachings, our athletes gain something far more valuable than wrestling skills. They gain a deep, unshakeable faith that will guide them through every aspect of their lives.
They learn that their strength comes not just from their own abilities but from their relationship with God. They understand that life, like wrestling, will have its struggles, but with faith, they can face anything with confidence and hope.
When I first started as a coach, I came across RMN Events and was immediately intrigued. Their tournaments seemed not only fun and exciting but also meticulously organized, with a clear emphasis on showcasing talent at the highest levels.
What I experienced there was far beyond what I expected. From the moment the event opened with a prayer and transitioned into the opening ceremonies, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotions. It was as if God's spirit was flowing through that place and touching everyone there, including me.
I had never felt anything quite like it. It was a profound experience, one that cemented my commitment as a coach. I realized then that RMN Events was more than just a series of wrestling tournaments; it was a platform where faith and sport came together in a powerful way.
From that moment on, I knew that my team needed to participate in as many RMN events as possible. Each event has not only provided our athletes with incredible competition but also reinforced the values that are at the core of our program: faith, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence both on and off the mat.
This alignment with my own mission has been incredibly supportive and affirming. RMN has assisted our club in so many ways, from ensuring that we are stocked with Bibles specifically dedicated for wrestlers, to offering spiritual guidance that keeps us focused on our true purpose.
Their support goes beyond just the material. They have partnered with me in a way that continually reminds me to stay the course in what I’m called to do: spreading God’s word and developing young athletes not just into champions on the mat, but into champions of faith.
I truly believe that God put RMN Events in our path for a reason. They genuinely care about the growth of wrestling, but more importantly, they care about doing God’s will and spreading His message.
When I decided to officially start the Tucson Pride Wrestling Club (TPWC), I had little to begin with. We had no dedicated facility, no grand plan, just a deep passion for wrestling and a desire to make a difference.
The roots of this program are humble. They trace back to my own garage, where it all began with just two of my sons, Gabriel and Tony Howard. That garage, small and unassuming, was the birthplace of TPWC. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to start nurturing the talent and character of young wrestlers.
In those early days, the focus was simple: hard work, consistency, and a commitment to growth. But as more kids from around the city and even surrounding counties started coming to train, it became clear that we were outgrowing that space.
After a humble beginning in my garage, the search for a permanent facility began, fueled by the vision of creating a space where wrestlers could not only hone their skills but also build lifelong bonds, strengthen their character, and grow in their walk with God.
It’s a place where young athletes come to challenge themselves, push beyond their limits, and strive for excellence both on and off the mat. Through this program, many have achieved their high school dreams of competing at the state level, testing their abilities against the best, and showing that with dedication, anything is possible.
Ultimately, TPWC’s success will not be measured just by the number of state champions we produce but by the impact we have on each athlete’s life. My goal is to help every young person who walks through our doors to become the best version of themselves, equipped with the skills and values that will serve them well beyond the mat.
The battles you face on the mat will be intense, but so will the internal battles – those moments of fear, doubt, and desolation that will challenge your very spirit.
But here’s the truth: once you’ve endured these trials, you will emerge transformed. You will become a skilled, well-prepared, and strong young athlete capable of conquering the world. With your mind, heart, and spirit aligned with God’s word, there will be nothing you cannot achieve.
Wrestling reveals who you are at your core, and through the trials it presents, it molds you into a person who can face the world with confidence, resilience, and grace.
The true gift of wrestling is not found in the accolades but in the understanding that you are capable of enduring and overcoming whatever life throws your way.
It’s about knowing that your worth is not measured by victories alone, but by the strength of your spirit and the depth of your faith. And in that knowledge, you find a life filled with hope, joy, and the freedom that comes from walking closely with God.
This is the legacy that wrestling leaves behind, and it’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.