Tim Ruettiger

Joliet

Coach

Tim began at Providence Catholic High School, where he played football and wrestled. He enrolled at Joliet Junior College where he played football.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from North Central College and his Master’s Degree from Eastern Illinois, where he worked with Ron Clinton.

He spent 12 years teaching and coaching at Providence Catholic High School where his teams won 308 duals in Class A and Class AA. He had 66 state qualifiers, 25 placewinners of which 8 were champions, his brother Mark was a 4 time champion and inducted in the IWCOA Hall of Fame.

His teams won 8 regional titles, 5 sectionals and 13 conference titles. They placed 3rd in the state twice, 2nd twice and were 3 time state champions in 1978, 1981 and 1988, both Class A and Class AA.

Tim was named IWCOA coach of the year in 1981 and 1988.   In 1989, he was named National High School Athletic Coaches Association “Coach of the Year” for region four.

Tim moved to Joliet West High School for two years and then to Leyden.  He had given up coaching wrestling after 3 years, as he moved to an administrative post as Dean of Students.

Tim was on the coaching staff of the IWF National Junior Freestyle team 3 times.  He has been elected to St. Mary Magdalene’s Hall Of Fame. The mason's named him "Man of the Year" in Joliet.

Tim coached the Little Celtics.