Pickersgill Stepping Down as North Wrestling Coach

After five years as the head wrestling coach at Sachem High School North, Ray Pickersgill is stepping off the mat.

He notified his team, parents, supporters and co-coaches Thursday night at the team's annual awards dinner. 

"I have three kids at home and would like to spend more time with them," he said. "I couldn't spend the time I wanted to spend at home."

Ryan Gerondel had finished giving a speech at the dinner and Pickersgill took the podium with the news.

"I was stunned," Gerondel said. "His wife didn't even know about it and he was doing it for his family. At the time he said it I just finished my speech and I was really upset by that. He said thank you for making my last year coaching special."

Pickersgill, who took over from legendary coach Jack Mahoney during the 2005-2006 season, went 63-24 during his tenure at the helm of one of the more respected programs in Suffolk County.

He won two league titles, captured the county's most improved team award in 2007 and coached two wrestlers that made it to the New York State tournament in Gerondel and Chris Iorio.

He said he wasn't trying to drop a bomb at the dinner, but this news is important considering the high-profile nature of the program.

"I thought about it for awhile," he said. "It's tough."

The last straw came recently when he had to coach some wrestlers instead of spending time with his son, who had lacrosse practice.

"The decision's been made," he said.

Having been involved with coaching at Sachem for 16 years, he won't rule out being involved in the future, but for the time being he is content.

"To say I won't be involved in some way is probably crazy," he said. "If they need my help, I'll help them out."

Pickersgill said he has not spoken to athletic directors Gary Beutel or John Mankowich yet. The questions will start about who will take over the program.

Beutel did not immediately return an email Friday night and said he had not spoken with Pickersgill as of Monday afternoon.

Multiple coaches around the district have expressed interest in the position since the news broke.

Sachem Patch will be monitoring the situation in the coming weeks