Photos and article by KAREN TRUJILLO, Contributor

Paul Muck accomplished something that only about 5% of high school wrestling coaches ever achieve on November 19. That’s when he led the Vandegrift Vipers in dual wins over Liberty Hill and Westlake and achieved his 500th career dual meet victory milestone.

This is a significant accomplishment in the sport of wrestling, and speaks to his longevity and dedication to the sport. Many VHS wrestling alumni were in attendance to help honor their former coach and share thoughts of how his mentorship shaped their lives for the better, both on and off the mat.

Muck has been teaching and coaching for the past twenty five years. He graduated from the University of Austin in 2001 and since then has been the head wrestling coach at Anderson HS, Georgetown HS, and he is currently in his 11th year at Vandegrift. 

Over his 25 years as head wrestling coach, he has now had 500 dual victories, 15 District team titles, 6 Regional team titles, 100 State qualifiers, 29 State placers, 7 State runner-ups and 5 State champions. Muck has been named the Regional Coach of the Year 8 times, State Coach of the Year in 2021, served on the UIL Advisory Committee, a former President of the High School Wrestling Coaches Association and was inducted into The Texas Wrestling Hall of Honor in 2023.