Russ Cozart on Wrestling, Streaks, Coaching and the Brandon Tradition

You would think it would get old for Russ Cozart, the streaks that are beyond reason except for the fact that they are real.

His Brandon High School wrestlers went 34 years without losing.

That streak ended in 2008, but still on the books is the string of state championships, now at 12, thanks to the team's decisive win at the 2012 FHSAA Class 3A State Championship in Lakeland on Feb. 18.

For Cozart, it was his 22nd state championship as the head coach of the Eagles, which this year won the team's 23rd state title.

And this year two of Cozart's wrestlers — Rossi Bruno and Clark Glass — each broke a state record when each wrestler won his fifth individual state title.

In all, seven Brandon wrestlers took home state titles, the second year in a row that has happened for Brandon.

It's a record that Brandon has both set and tied — three times.

So, we asked coach Cozart, as we've asked in the past, "Does it ever get old?"

"No," he said. "Every year is special because you come to the state championship with different players. Every year has its own chemistry, its own personality."

As for the journey to the school's 23rd state title, and 12th state title in a row, "it's been a great year," Cozart said. "It's been a fun year."

Not lost on Cozart is history of both his team and his school, which in 2014 will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Brandon School, which at the time was the town's only school through grade 12.

By association, it becomes the 100th anniversary of Brandon High, and in 2014, should the Brandon wrestlers continue their dominance, which is more than likely, the team will celebrate its 25th state championship.

"The town of Brandon is an awesome community," Cozart said. "This is my 32nd year at Brandon, I've been in the town for 33 years. I've seen it grow. I came here when Highway 60 was two lanes. I've had the pleasure of seeing it grow."

Brandon should be proud of its tradition, and of the team that has made its mark in town lore, Cozart said.

As for him, his pleasure has been in both teaching and coaching.

"I take a lot of pride in coaching," he said. "I think the most important thing about coaching is that you can really have an influence on a kid."

The more years you're at it, he added, "the more experience you have bonding with teenagers and learning how to talk to them. You have to set the bar high for these kids."

Seems like the sky is the limit for the Brandon High Eagles, for which Cozart said his job has been "coaching and teaching at its best."

"I'm a lucky guy," Cozart said. "I'm not a rich man but I'm rich in a lot of different ways, getting kids to believe in themselves and to believe in me."

Does he think about The Streak, the one that lasted for 34 years?

"I think about it a lot of times," Cozart said. "It was great for what it was and I've move on to a different streak."

That is, of course, the string of state championships, 12 in a row — and counting.

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