Andy Close
YOUNGSVILLE, Pa. – “Go do a wrestle.”
Those were the simple yet famous words Paul Clough told his wrestlers before they took the mat. Clough, who served as the head coach at Youngsville from 2015-2021 and as an assistant at Sheffield this past season, passed away on March 17 at the age of 40.
Clough also served as a substitute teacher in the county and on Tuesday, his students and wrestlers gathered to celebrate and share fond memories at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Youngsville.
“Funniest guy ever,” said Sheffield senior Danah Campbell. “And one of the smartest guys ever, too. We shared a lot of conversations that I can’t even explain.”
And his impact was immense.
“I didn’t even know him that long and he made a really big impact on me,” said fellow Sheffield senior Bryce Taylor.
The wrestling community is a tight-knit one, and Clough’s lasting legacy on those he coached with, and against, is massive.
“His wife always said that his first love was wrestling and she was happy to be his second,” Sheffield head wrestling coach Tom Holden said with a smile. “He was willing to help any kid, any time. Just an amazing human being.
“Him and I put a friendship together over the last eight years. We worked well together. I bugged him when he wasn’t coaching to come on board and it didn’t take very much. He was missing it already. Paul was just such an amazing person.”
That sentiment was felt by coaches across the county.
“Paul was a big part of the wrestling community in Warren County,” said Eisenhower’s Kris Black. “I always knew Paul would have kids as ready as possible and they would give a good effort. He was a class act on the mats and in the classroom. I enjoyed having talks with Paul about coaching our own children and how to balance it with being a parent and a coach. He will be greatly missed.”
Clough coached his son, Collin, who graduated from Youngsville last year after a successful high school career on the mat.
“We loved him so much,” Campbell said. “He always just wanted the best for us. Just a very selfless person.”
Fellow Sheffield senior Cooper Traister recalled a funny story when the Wolverines wrestled against the Warren Dragons.
“I bit my tongue open and was bleeding against Warren and Paul just yelled, ‘You’re doing great,’” Traister said with a smile. “I said, ‘Coach I can’t feel my tongue.’ And he just said to keep wrestling.”
From trips to regionals to the Fred Bell Tournament and others, those were the stories that were remembered of Paul Clough – tough, but funny and selfless and always able to relate to his wrestlers and his students.
Viewing hours will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Evangelical United Methodist Church on Friday, and also on Saturday one hour prior to the 2 p.m. funeral service.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Paul Clough Memorial Fund, and any Northwest Savings bank branch. Funds received will be used for a scholarship for any senior wrestler in Warren County.
“He made my senior year amazing,” Campbell said. “I wish it could be forever. It was awesome.”
