RUMFORD — For over two decades, Gary Dolloff has been a dedicated coach in and around the River Valley, and he’ll continue being a fixture on the sidelines, but his coaching load will be lightened in the near future.

Dolloff has announced that he will step away as varsity wrestling coach at Mountain Valley at the end of next season. He plans to coach middle school football (approximately 23 years) and JV high school softball.

“It was a very tough decision,” Dolloff said. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about it and think at this point it is in my best interest and for Mountain Valley wrestling. I have given my heart and soul to that program.”

Dolloff, a Rumford graduate, has certainly seen and experienced a lot through the years. His coaching philosophy has developed over time, but he was quick to credit other dedicated coaches for helping him excel. In 1987, he started coaching middle school wrestling with John Fitzmorris and won the MS championship.

The following year, Dolloff took over the middle school (won eight championships) and he was also named JV coach at newly merged Mountain Valley. So, for six years, Dolloff did triple duty as an assistant high school and middle school coach, and helped Scott Gauvin with Greater Rumford Community Center’s pee wee teams.

“It was tough, but I loved it,” Dolloff said. “I was so excited to be coaching with Steve Nokes. I learned a lot from him and also took what I learned from my years of wrestling under coach (Jerry) Perkins.”

When Perkins un-retired, Dolloff stepped back and also did some refereeing for a couple years. This eventually led to coaching at the the high school again with Perkins for six years.

“I learned a lot, established what worked for me and was very happy to be back at the high school,” Dolloff said. “I did a lot of hands-on wrestling with some of these kids and was very dedicated to this program then my dream came true.”

Dolloff bided his time and was named the head wrestling coach and hit the ground running with high expectations and hard work. It has helped having assistants Chris Bean and Jeff Gilbert, who each bring unique assets to the program. This includes nurturing young  athletes and getting them up to speed in the sport. Mountain Valley has won four Mid State League championships, seven Western Regional championships, two Class B state championships. In the past nine years, the Falcons never finished lower then fourth in the state.

Dolloff believes the feeder program has been the best in the state with the dedication of shown by former wrestlers, including Eric Austin at the pee wee level, and with the help of Larry Gill and Paul Cogley. Joe Thornton and Lee Farrar and current coach Anthony Mazza, who won a MS championship last year, have made big contributions. Dolloff has also drawn great inspiration from Dennis Bishop, Deering coach Al Kirk and brother Mark, who coached Oxford Hills. The sport has provided the entire Dolloff family with so many great memories.

“I pride myself on having teams that were in shape and ready to wrestle,” Dolloff said. “The ability to keep matchs close and win in the third period. The kids work hard on take downs and escapes or reversals because — if you can take them down and they can’t hold you down, you shouldn’t lose to many matches.”