Gary Freis' wrestling experience began at Hamburg High School in New York, where he was a sectional champion.

He attended the University of Buffalo from 1956-58 and served in the United States Army from 1960-66.

His coaching experience began at Sweethome High School in New York and then he became head coach at Frontier High School. He then founded and coached Western New York Wrestling and had the honor of coaching the New York Freestyle team.

Upon landing in Florida, Gary assisted at Fort Myers High School and became head coach in 1982. At about the same time, he added the Fort Myers Wrestling Club to his responsibilities. From1986 through the early 1990s, he worked with the Florida Junior National Team.

In 18 years at Fort Myers High School, Gary compiled 184 victories with four district championships, four regional championships, two Florida High School Athletic Association titles and five runner-up FHSAA finishes. He coached 86 state qualifiers and 18 state champions.

Gary was named 3A Coach of the Year and twice was named 5A Coach of the Year. He was named Florida Coach of the Year and was a nine-time recipient of the Fort Myers Area Coach of the Year award. Gary was Lee County Athletic Conference Coach of the Year five times and Southwest Florida Sportsman Coach of the Year five times.

He received the Harriette Weller Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.

In addition to being an outstanding coach, Gary was also a Category I referee and judge for the United States Wrestling Federation and worked seven years with the Junior Nationals of Iowa and New York.

Gary and his wife, Sally, had two daughters, Kimberly and Heather.