D'Ambra to coach Spencerport wrestlers
James Johnson . Staff writer . October 15, 2009
www.rochesterdandc.com

Tony D'Ambra was thought to have the inside track to replace Bill Jacoutot as coach of the successful Spencerport wrestling team.

The job - and it is a big one - became D'Ambra's after the Spencerport school board approved the Caledonia-Mumford graduate and former college All-America wrestler during a routine meeting Tuesday night.

D'Ambra, 27, follows Jacoutot, who directed the Rangers to seven state titles determined by rankings and 21 Section V team championships in 28 seasons at Spencerport. Five teams coached by Jacoutot were placed in national rankings.

"Wow, you have pretty big shoes to fill," D'Ambra said. "That's pretty much the first thing that people say, but that goes without saying.

"The standards will not change. I'm committed and will try to live up to the expectations. It's a daily process, it's not going to be overnight."

D'Ambra spent last season as coach of Spencerport's "B" varsity team, which consisted of capable wrestlers who did not crack the "A" varsity lineup. Jacoutot, 57, decided not to return to the program last month.

"The job has a lot of expectations," Jacoutot said. "He understands that, and has the guts to take it.

"He feels comfortable with the practice schedules, he's comfortable with the system. It's not like he is parachuting in and starting from scratch. He's a different personality than I am, a lower key guy, but he seems to be comfortable with the kids, and vice-versa. He has established relationships."

D'Ambra, a part-time physical education teacher in the Spencerport school district, spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Caledonia-Mumford with Paul Day.

D'Ambra, a two-year team captain at State University College at Brockport, once reached the finals of the 2005 133-pound NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.

JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com