Shaking the notebook: New Spencerport wrestling coach says he knows exactly what he is walking into
James Johnson . Staff writer . June 14, 2012
www.rochesterdandc.com

Dan Glover

Dan Glover has his first job as a varsity wrestling coach, and it is at a place that is a bit further along than a start-up program.

It is Spencerport, the team that just about every team in Section V - certainly the ones in and around Monroe County - would like to match when it comes to success on the mat.

Dan Glover

And it's been that way for decades.

"Of course it is tough," Glover, 30, said. "The expectations of the community is to produce high-quality teams."

Glover was approved as the new Spencerport coach by the school district's board of education and superintendent on June 12. They were not the only ones with input, according to Spencerport athletic director John Pelin.

Representatives from a youth wrestling program, a group of parents connected to the team and former Rangers wrestlers had something to say about who should be Tony D'Ambra's replacement. Other Spencerport varsity coaches were a part of that process, too.

D'Ambra's third and final season as Spencerport's coach ended up with the Rangers at No. 4 in the final New York State Sportswriters Association large schools dual meet rankings.

And still a change was made.

"We demand exellence on the mat," Pelin said. "We demand excellence off the mat."

That seems like a tough entry point for a first-year varsity coach.

"Dan felt that he has put in time and that he's ready for the challenge," Pelin said. "Dan kind of took over during the interim, he's kind of stepped to the forefront."

Glover, a social studies teacher at Spencerport's Cosgrove Middle School and at the high school, was an assistant for three years each with successful coach Bill Jacoutot and D'Ambra.

The 2001 Gates Chili graduate, who has begun his eighth year in high school coaching, must have got across to a few people that he could read the pulse of the program.

"It seems like .. how can you give it up?" Glover said about coaching wrestling and the sport. "It's been a passion of mine, I felt like that's what I want to do.

"I've come to the point I have enough experience and I've learned a tremendous amount from coaching with Bill. My six years at Spencerport prepared me to take over the program."

When Glover was asked about thoughts on how the scrutiny of him is just beginning, he said:

"Pressure motivates. It motivates you to work hard."

JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com