4A Assistant Coach of the Year - 2006

TOM TAPLIN
Abilene High School

Abilene wrestling has had many years of success, but all of it has had one common equation, assistant coach Tom Taplin has been involved. Taplin helped head coach James Stout lead the Cowboys to a 4A state runner-up finish last season, after winning the NCKL and regional title. The team also went 12-0 in duals.

Taplin has been at Abilene for 11 years. He has coached 14 state champs (1 four-timer, 1 three-timer, and 1 two-timer). He has been a part of three state champ teams in 1998, 1999, and 2003. He has been a part of three runner-up teams in 2004, 2005, and 2006. And he has been a part of a third-place team in 2001 and a fourth-place in 2000. In the past ten years, the team’s dual record is 95-5-1.

The Cowboys have won NCKL titles from 1998-2002, and in 2004 and 2006.

Taplin has helped Cowboy wrestlers earn college scholarships and college degrees. One Abilene alum is a two-time NCAA Div. I national qualifier, and another is a two-time NCAA Div. II All-American and four-time Academic All-American. Also, his son is currently competing in college at the Univ. of Neb-Omaha and was an All-American last year.

“Tom has been a great support to our program. He was not just here for his kids, he was here for our program and spent much more time with other kids mentoring them and molding them into great people and great HS wrestlers. 2006 was Tom’s last season, as he needs to take his opportunity of a lifetime following his son’s career in collegiate wrestling. Tom will be greatly missed in the corner of the mat while the Cowboys are competing,” said AHS head coach James Stout.