Coach Joe Handlan is a graduate of Parkersburg High and Ohio University. Since 1968 until 2000, Coach Handlan has coached wrestling on the scholastic and collegiate levels at Parkersburg and Eastern Kentucky University. Coach Joe Handlan's accomplishments over the years are nonpareil. Handlan has produced 52 state champions, the most in the state's history, ranking him in the top ten coaches across the United States. He was also honored by the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference for this achievement in 2001. Coach Handlan also produced six state championship teams, six outstanding wrestler award winners, and 12 All-Americans. His coaching colleagues have honored him as the West Virginia AAA Coach of the Year six times. Coach Joe Handlan averaged two state champions per year during his quarter century as head coach at Parkersburg High. In 1964, Coach Joe Handlan was a state champ, himself, under Coach Bob Dutton's guidance. Coach Joe Handlan attributes much of his success in the mat sport to what he learned from Coach Harry Houska at Ohio University. Coach Handlan assisted Coach Dutton during the 1960s and 1970s until 1976 when Bob Dutton retired. Coach Handlan then took over the reins and continued the "Big Red" dynasty on the mats. Joe Handlan resides in Vienna, West Virginia with his devoted wife Terry. They have two children Joseph and Julie. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Joe Handlan with a "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2005.