What really happens between coaches and officials during a wrestling match?

For the first-ever New Jersey Mat Chat Coaches Roundtable, veteran wrestling official Gary Wade sits down with two of South Jersey's most respected coaches — Mike Ahern (Audubon) and Mike Lamb (Haddonfield) — for an honest conversation about the relationship between coaches and referees.

Nothing is off limits.

They discuss:

🔥 Why coaches get so emotional during matches

🔥 How officials are trained in New Jersey

🔥 What officials wish coaches understood

🔥 State tournament consistency and controversial calls

🔥 Video replay in high school wrestling

🔥 The PowerPoint system and weight classes

🔥 Stalling, edge wrestling, and rule interpretations

🔥 Coaching your own son

🔥 Building respect between coaches and officials

The episode also opens with a heartfelt tribute to Chase Sedano and the St. Augustine wrestling community, reflecting on the impact he had on those around him.

Whether you're a wrestler, coach, official, parent, or lifelong NJ wrestling fan, this episode provides a rare look at the sport from both sides of the whistle. It's a conversation about passion, accountability, and making New Jersey wrestling even better.

🤼 Guests:

Gary Wade – New Jersey Wrestling Official

Mike Ahern – Head Coach, Audubon

Mike Lamb – Head Coach, Haddonfield

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping New Jersey wrestling.

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00:00 – Champion Athletes Nutrition Sponsor

01:26 – Welcome to the First Coaches Roundtable

02:00 – Mike Ahern & Mike Lamb's Coaching Backgrounds

02:52 – Rivalries, Respect & Wrestling Brotherhood

04:15 – Remembering Chase Sudano

06:30 – Why Coaches and Officials Clash

08:08 – Gary Wade's District Tournament Story

09:33 – Seeing Wrestling Through an Official's Eyes

11:35 – How New Jersey Officials Are Trained

15:08 – Wrestle-Offs, Tough Decisions & Parent Pressure

18:52 – Coaching Your Own Son

21:10 – Why Officials Need a Short Memory

24:07 – Are Officials Consistent at the State Tournament?

28:32 – NCAA Replay Reviews & Overtime Controversies

30:28 – Should High School Wrestling Have Video Review?

35:31 – How Many Weight Classes Should NJ Have?

38:20 – Too Many Matches, Not Enough Practice?

41:44 – Edge Wrestling, Stalling & Rule Changes

46:35 – What Makes a Great Wrestling Official?

49:25 – Coaches Admit Their Biggest Regrets

52:44 – Bridging the Gap Between Coaches & Officials

54:55 – Final Thoughts & Coffee Toast

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🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6FSWGcAZgr6I4IDjDX0i7d?si=c377f97049fc4c6d

🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-jersey-mat-chat/id1813387872

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