The New Jerry Dilley Wrestling Room
Written by Madison Thurman
On Thursday January 8th, 2026, the Lowell School District honored hall of fame coach
Jerry Dilley, one of the best wrestling coaches in the nation, with the dedication of the
wrestling room. The wrestling room was dedicated to him to honor his hard work,
dedication, and commitment to the students and athletes at Lowell high school from
1962 to 2007.
Under Mr. Dilley’s leadership, Lowell won over 500 matches and 13 team state
championships. He produced four 4-time state champions, six 3-time state champions,
twelve 2-time state champions, and 32 other individual state wrestling titles during his
time at Lowell for a total of 90 individual titles. From 1975 to 1988 Lowell dominated
throughout the state and set the standard for small schools in Oregon. Dilley was
honored as coach of the year several times and in 1989 was honored with the National
Coach of the Year award. Finally, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of
fame in 2005. He walks with the other hall of fame coaches every year in the March of
Champions before the State 1A/2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A State wrestling finals. He sits in
a seat of honor and hands out individual medals after each state championship match
in the 1A/2A division.
Mr. Dilley was more than just a coach here at Lowell High School; he was a teacher of
character, builder of confidence, a mentor, a father figure and believer in the student
athletes at Lowell High School. Here is what a former student athlete had to say, “Being
with Mr. Dilley was an unforgettable adventure experience. We went on camping trips,
compassed hikes, floated rivers, went bouldering, tied flies then fly fished, built traps,
ate worms, crickets, and frogs, bit heads off fish, had grand draws, went to hot springs,
crabbing, cut wood, caught chickens, wore greenies, and ate lots of pancakes and ran
lots of miles. Wrestlers and GWA–if you know, you know!”
The 100% club was started by Mr. Dilley. He awarded kids who didn’t miss practice. He
was about hard work, commitment, and perseverance. Dilley would reward those who
had unwavering tenacity. He expected his wrestlers to put in work outside of practice
and because of their dedication, Mr. Dilley trusted his wrestlers. He wasn't afraid to take
his team anywhere to compete and he put them up against any team of any size or
division. He asked kids to wrestle way above their weight class to cover all weight
classes in a duel and his wrestlers were happy to do it. Mr. Dilley was never afraid to
test his team.
There are so many more stories to tell and many wrestlers, coaches, GWA and parents
to tell them. For those of you who are young or didn’t have a parent who was impacted
by Mr. Dilley just know he was a one-of-a-kind teacher and coach. He gave up his time
and energy to inspire all those he met. The impact he has had on his wrestlers and his
students will live on forever in our community through the legacy of Lowell Wrestling.