Greg Buckbee is leaving Emporia High on top and returning to the school where he won his first State title as a wrestling coach.
Buckbee, coming off coaching the Spartans to their first State team title in nine years, is leaving EHS and returning to coach at Arkansas City, where he previously spent five years and won a State crown in 2003.
Buckbee said he was making the move because of family but didn’t elaborate. He said taking the opportunity to return to Ark City if it presented itself was something that had been “tossed around the home” in the past.
“Just, I think it’s a good move for our family,” he said.
He said the decision to leave was finalized earlier this week, and he told his wrestlers about his departure on Wednesday morning and said they reacted with shock.
Asked what he’d remember about his time as coach at EHS, Buckbee said, “The wrestlers, and how hard they work, and how fun they are on and off the mat. Just a joy.”
EHS athletic director Britton Hart said he was surprised to hear Buckbee’s decision, but said he knew it was a good move for him and his family.
“Obviously, you never really think you’re gonna lose a coach until it happens,” Hart said, “and especially one who just won a State championship. So that’s kind of a difficult situation, but obviously one that we have to take and try to make better, try to fix.”
Emporia High took 13 wrestlers to State this year and won the program’s 10th team title. In Buckbee’s previous four seasons, the Spartans finished sixth at State in 2008, fifth in 2007, ninth in 2006 and 11th in 2005.
With this year’s title, Buckbee became the first person in EHS history to win a State title as both a wrestler and a coach. He was part of state championship-winning Spartan teams in both 1983 and 1984 and won the individual championship in ’83 at 98 pounds.
Buckbee said he hadn’t recommended anyone to replace him at this point. Hart said he would try to name Buckbee’s replacement “as quick as possible within reason.”
Martling resigns
EHS volleyball coach Betsy Martling has also resigned after one year at the top of the Spartan program. Martling couldn’t be reached Thursday morning, but Hart said she indicated to him that she was taking a teaching position at Maize High School, where she played high school volleyball. The Spartans finished 20-19 in 2008.
“She obviously brought a lot of enthusiasm and excitement to our program,” Hart said, “and gave us some opportunities to win this year, so we will miss her."