When Mike Rodriguez entered the doors at Detroit Catholic Central High School he had a resume that could've put him at the helm of many collegiate programs.

Rodriguez, who grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, went to prep school in Pennsylvania where he won two National Prep Championships.

After his successful stint in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez packed his bags and returned home to wrestle for coach Cliff Keen and the University of Michigan Wolverines.

While at the U of M, Rodriguez won three Big Ten championships and was a two-time NCAA finalist.

After his successful college career, Rodriguez continued to wrestle on the international level. He won an AAU national championship and finished fifth at the World Championships in Japan. In 1960 Rodriguez was named an alternate for the 1960 Rome Olympics.

After a many bright years on the international scene the Good Lord had something else planned for the enthusiastic young man, high school coaching.

Rodriguez busted through the doors at Detroit Catholic Central on 6565 West Outer Drive on a mission. Upon arriving, he had dreams of developing a dynasty, and that's exactly what he did.

Within two years of, Rodriguez accomplished his first goal of bringing home a team state title to DCC. The Shamrocks under defeated Lansing Sexton in 1969 and continued to roll the blue streak into the 1970's.

Rodriguez led the Shamrocks to a Three Peat, and they continued to win championships. After capturing the Class A championship in 1970 by defeating Pontiac Northern, DCC won the 1971 title by defeating East Lansing.

Rodriguez was the first coach in Michigan High School Athletic Association history to coach a team to three Class A wrestling state championships in a row.

In 1972 Rodriguez, received the "Ring" as he was named National Coach of the Year.

Rodriguez went on to win four more state championships by claiming titles in 1974, 1978, 1983, and in 1988 when the Shamrocks became the first team to win a state title under the dual meet team format.

During his legendary 40-year career at DCC, Rodriguez accumulated over 730 dual meet wins and retired as the winningest coach in the history of USA high school Wrestling. He coached many successful individuals as well.

Rodriguez had 18 All-Americans, 29 state champions who combined to win 38 titles, over 125 state placers.

Successful coaches often refer to their team as a "family." For Rodriguez, it was literal. He married his high school sweetheart June and they have been married ever since. Catholic Central's first family also had many children involved in the program. His sons Steve, David and Chris all wrestled at DCC. Steve (1972) and David (1975) won individual state titles and went on to wrestle at Michigan State. Chris finished third at states and wrestled at Eastern Michigan. The couple's daughters Jackie, Patty, and Nancy were also very instrumental to the program's success while working as mat maids, cheerleaders, and mediators for their dad's program and their band of brothers.

Rodriguez retired from Detroit Catholic Central in 2007, and was inducted into the Michigan Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.

He spent his time with his wife June and their beautiful family. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, working out, gardening and building things.

Rodriguez remained involved the program as spiritual moderator and trainer.

The Good Lord's plan for Coach Rod, proved to be an angelic one. "Rod" served as father, role model, mentor, spiritual advisor, and coach to thousands of young men at Detroit Catholic Central. We are forever grateful to Coach Rodriguez and his beautiful wife June!