by Shawn Nowlin
Since William Fleming High School hired D’Angelo Reynolds as its head wrestling coach in June 2024, the program has enjoyed tremendous success.
This year’s roster, which included seven seniors, sent five athletes to the state competition in Virginia Beach: Aronde Phillips, Richard Hopkins, Jaylen Clary, Jovanny Gonzalez and Zion Baskerville.
“Our goal is always to see the work we put into the sport in the offseason, but my main goal is to see my wrestlers accomplish their personal goals, both on and off the mat. My philosophy is about developing good people, then coaching good wrestlers,” Reynolds said.
He added, “I loved coaching this group because of the fire and drive they showed. It is the next step before life really comes. Wrestling is all about development.”
Despite only serving in the role for two years, Reynolds was recently named the Roanoke Valley Wrestling Association Coach of the Year.
Said milestone puts him in the same class as former Virginia Tech wrestler Don Cox, former Messiah College wrestler Randall Sell, wrestling official Mike Gibson, athletic trainer Talena Williams and lifetime achievement recipient Ronnie Wood.
“I am so grateful for this honor. This isn’t about me though. It’s about the William Fleming Wrestling community and the young men and women who trust my voice,” he said. “This is also about my dedicated staff, and their commitment to the purpose that we share.”
When news broke of Reynolds’ accomplishment, people went to social media to congratulate him.
“It was an honor to have seen this moment with D’Angelo. He was a great student and wrestler, who later stood side by side with me in coaching. He continues to grow a great program,” Angelo Bonner wrote on Facebook.
A former athlete himself, Reynolds lettered in wrestling, earning both All-Region and All-District honors. A 2013 graduate of William Fleming, Reynolds currently serves as a Credit Recovery Program Administrator at his alma mater. PWR Poetry Jam, which blends spoken word, hip-hop and community, is a community initiative that he created.
Some of Reynolds’ players have gone on to earn a full scholarship to college. According to him, a key difference between a good coach and a great one is understanding how to maximize one’s potential, regardless of circumstance.
“I have been a coach for well over a decade now. The student athletes that I have had the pleasure of working with are great,” he said. “We have done some great things collectively, and will continue to do so in the future.”
