Wrestling is a sport Daryle Qualls has always been passionate about.

So when the opportunity arose for the former Athens High wrestling coach to get back into the classroom and coaching after being away for 2 1/2 years, he couldn’t resist.

Qualls recently accepted a teaching position at Scottsboro High School where he will also serve as the Wildcats wrestling coach — a program that has won the past four Class 5A state championships.

“After a lot of prayer, I decided to take the job at Scottsboro over a few offers in Georgia,” Qualls said in a letter to The News Courier. “Scottsboro offered a great opportunity to continue their winning tradition. They have, to me, one of the best set ups in the state for wrestling with their own gym, weight room and other perks.”

Qualls served as the Golden Eagles head wrestling coach 18 of his 25 years at Athens. He coached six state championship teams, four runner-up teams, 31 individual state champions, five All-Americans and earned four national coaching awards.

He also coached football at Athens Middle and Athens High for 12 years and golf for nine.

Since retiring, Qualls has served as a substitute teacher at several Athens City schools and as coach of DQStyle Wrestling — an AAU wrestling team. He noted that because of that experience, he got the fire to coach and teach again.

“I would like to thank Mr. Bishop, Mrs. May and coach Poole for allowing me to sub,” Qualls said. “I missed the kids and it showed me that I had some good years left in me as a teacher and positive influence on students. Thanks also goes out to Dr. Bridges and Mr. Bolen for allowing me to coach my AAU team at Athens where we had three All-Americans and one national champion. It was a big part of me deciding to come out of retirement.”