After winning over 100 matches as a collegiate wrestler, Mike Henry turned his attention to coaching, spending a season in Los Alamitos, California before coming to Oklahoma.

He coached a season at Jay and a couple of seasons in Clinton before settling in Shawnee in 1981 and finding his coaching home. He spent six years at Shawnee Junior High, compiling a dual meet record of 151-21-2. His roster consistently numbered over 90 athletes who were all able to compete across the state on A, B and C teams.

In 1987, he moved to Shawnee High School where he quickly led his team to the 1988 state tournament title. The next year, his wrestlers won the state dual meet championship. He was the 1988 4A Coach of the Year, the 1989 All-State coach and the 1992 OWDA Coach of the Year.