Simpson Looks to Continue Program Success as Next Opelika Wrestling Coach

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA —

About two months after Brady Campbell became the first male to win a 7A State Championship at Opelika in February, Opelika hired a new wrestling coach in Lee Simpson.

Campbell, who was just a sophomore last season, has two more years as a Bulldog. Simpson will have the task of getting him, as well as the other seven guys he’ll have who competed in the state tournament last year, back for a chance to repeat. And he said he likes what he sees in his team for the upcoming season and hopes to have even more make it to state this season.

“They qualified nine for state last year and eight of them are returning,” Simpson said. “That’s a pretty strong lineup with eight guys that qualified for state out of a 14-person lineup. [We are] hoping to continue that. Hopefully those eight qualify for state again and then we can continue to push more and eventually get the full lineup in there.” Bringing in 11 years of coaching experience, Simpson is just what Opelika was looking for to take this program to the next level, according to Athletic Director

See SIMPSON, page B5