Vincent Gervais steps into head coaching position, extensive history within program

For the past 17 years, James Richardson has coached a successful wrestling program based upon tradition, the very tradition he once learned under his coach Jack Provencal. But after deciding to step down last season, the torch will be passed on to a familiar face, Vincent Gervais. But the same “Tradition of Excellence” will continue to be upheld.

“I couldn’t feel any better about anyone taking over our program; without coach Gervais, I would be still coaching,” Richardson said. “He’s I’d feel really comfortable about being able to step in and take over the program; he’s the perfect person to take over that job.”

After being influenced by his friends, Gervais stepped onto the wrestling mat for Grand Haven his freshman year. He was coached by both Provencal and Richardson. It is the tradition that these two coaches instilled in the program that helped Gervais developed his coaching philosophy.

“People describe success as winning championships, I don’t always define it that way,” Gervais said. “If you give your best in whatever you’re doing, you’re going to be successful; that’s always been my philosophy.”

Gervais continued to wrestle at Grand Valley State University where he graduated from with a teaching degree. During the 2004-2005 wrestling season he spent a year student teaching at Grand Haven while assistant coaching the varsity squad. He then coached at Covert High School for eight years. But when a teaching position opened up at Grand Haven, Gervais seized the opportunity.

“My job in Covert was reduced and a teaching position opened up in Grand Haven at that same time so it was a perfect storm of circumstances,” Gervais said. “I was traveling 2 hours a day to go to work and I still feel very fortunate to work in the community in which I teach.”

Gervais, who grew up in Grand Haven, assistant coached alongside Richardson for two years, and built Covert’s program up, he was the natural choice for Athletic Director Scott Robertson.

“Find somebody that has something negative to say about an interaction they had with Coach Gervais,” Robertson said. “I’ll be surprised because I couldn’t find anybody. He understands that there’s more to it than just winning wrestling matches.”

The transition of head coaches is made much easier because of Gervais’ familiarity and experience in the program.

“I have gotten to know him over the past two years and I go to him whenever I need help with anything, wrestling and non-wrestling related,” senior wrestler Alec Benton said. “I am very excited and confident in him, I have no doubt that we will be right back on track with where we left off last year.”

Last year, the team qualified for team state, however, they also graduated a very strong class of wrestlers. Though, many people might think of the upcoming season as a building year, Gervais thinks otherwise.

“What I’m excited about is when you graduate that kind of a class of kids, it allows other people to step in and replace them,” Gervais said. “I think we’ve had people that were ready to be varsity but were just behind some pretty tough kids, I’m excited to see who steps up.”

Tradition has played a vital role in the success of the program. Although the Bucs have made a tradition of winning wrestling matches, Gervais is ultimately going to continue the traditional philosophy that he shares with Richardson and Provencal. Seeking success on and off the wrestling mat. His coaching philosophy is to improve not only wrestling skills, but also fundamental lessons that can be used outside of wrestling.

“Everyone has various levels of abilities, but effort is something you always have 100% control over,” Gervais said. “If I only teach kids how to do moves I feel like I’m doing them a disservice; my ultimate goal is to see kids set and reach their goals and do things that they never thought were possible.”