On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Little Miami Board of Education approved the promotion of former assistant coach Paul Winkler to become the next varsity head coach for LMHS varsity wrestling. In 2022, Winkler was hired as a mathematics teacher at the Warren County high school and joined the wrestling program in a support role at that time too. Under the direction of former coach Drew Hobbs, Winkler was in charge of many administrative responsibilities as well as being tasked with leading the JV team. Many of those coaching tasks included items such as drafting daily and weekly practice plans, weight room management in coordination with wrestling development, and support regarding opponent matchup and lineup decisions.
From November 2020 until his partnership with Little Miami Schools last year, Winkler worked as an assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater Northmont High School in Clayton, OH. During that same timeframe, he also led the Northmont Middle School football program. In addition, Winkler is a current member of Coach Jones' varsity football staff here at LMHS.
In 2016, Coach Winkler graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelor of Science in middle childhood education.
"Our leadership team has full confidence in Coach Winkler," said Little Miami athletic director Matt Louis. "He is an inspiring and innovative leader in the classroom, and that translates directly to him having the ability to lead our Panther student-athletes on the Wrestling Mat. He is ready to take the next step within his professional career as a full-time varsity head coach and we're excited that opportunity is available with us."
Also advancing this school year on the LMHS leadership team is rising principal Dr. Kevin Harleman and this is what he had to say about Coach Winkler's promotion, "Paul is a top-notch leader among our teaching staff. He has a magnetic personality and he naturally draws the kids into wanting to be their best selves. He made an instant impact during the 2022-23 school year, and it's exciting to know that he's committed to both The District and LMHS Athletics for the foreseeable future."
