Jeff Buxton, a high school wrestling coaching legend, has resigned as head wrestling coach and mathematics teacher at Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J.


Jeff Buxton led Blair Academy, N.J., to a No. 1 ranking this past season in the InterMat Fab 50 (Photo/Rob Preston)
Buxton had served as a mathematics teacher at Blair Academy since 1982, and became co-head wrestling coach in 1984 and sole head coach in 1991.

Blair Academy finished this past season ranked No. 1 in the InterMat Fab 50 after winning titles at the Walsh Ironman, Beast of the East, and POWERade Christmas Wrestling Tournament. It marked the 10th time Blair Academy has finished the season ranked No. 1 nationally since 1995. The Buccaneers have won 32 consecutive National Prep titles.

Buxton has coached several wrestlers who went on to earn All-American honors and NCAA titles in college, with the most recent being 2012 NCAA Division I champions Kellen Russell (Michigan) and Ed Ruth (Penn State). (It was Russell's second NCAA title.) Blair Academy alums Mark Perry (Iowa) and Steve Mocco (Iowa/Oklahoma State) won two NCAA titles. Since 2001, Blair wrestlers have earned 30 NCAA All-American honors and eight NCAA titles.

Paul Clavel, who has served on Buxton's coaching staff, is expected to lead Blair Academy's wrestling program for the 2012-13 season.