When you hear the name Blaine Ison, numerous things may come to mind. A few of those things may be a great former high school wrestler, a top 5 program coach, produced 12 state champions, built one of the best youth clubs in the state and knocked off the mighty South Dade HS to win the 2022 Dual Team State Title. One thing that probably wouldn’t come to mind is him leaving Palmetto Ridge HS. That would be the very last thing that would come to my mind. But this is in fact exactly what’s happening in Blaine Ison’s world right now.
After being a huge part of the Palmetto Ridge wrestling family for over 20 years, leaving the program would not be something he would do unless a huge opportunity was presented to him. Ison has been the Head Coach for the past 9 years and served as an assistant coach for the Bears for a few years prior to taking over the program. After many years of producing state placer’s, state champions and national champions, Blaine Ison will be leaving PRHS to build a new program, from the ground up at St. John Neumann. SJN is a small, private Catholic HS located in Naples, Florida with only 332 students in grades 9-12. The challenge of building a brand new program is something that you must be sure to have the right coach to do. Apparently SJN feels very confident with their selection. St. John Neumann athletic director Damon Jones has been after Ison for a few years now and after many hours and long nights thinking about the opportunity, Ison finally decided it was something he would love to have the opportunity to do.
I have no doubt SJN is destined to become a wrestling powerhouse in the Naples area, along with soon to be rival First Baptist-Naples. First Baptist has grown into one of the top 1A teams in the entire state of Florida and will soon be battling with St. John Neumann. I’m sure this will grow into a competitive, friendly rivalry in the next few years and one that will be sure to benefit both programs. As the old saying goes, “Iron Sharpens Iron”.
I’m quite sure Ison will have the full support from the staff and athletic department at St. John Neumann, as they have been wanting a wrestling program for some time now. While at Palmetto Ridge, Blaine Ison built a culture based on family. He treated all of his athletes like family. When athletes can feel the love from their coaches it’s easy for a kid to buy into what they’re teaching. Ison is a very hands on, all-in type of coach which is very easy to see, even as an outsider looking in. I am very confident in saying I feel Ison and his new team will contend for state titles much sooner than later. His track record speaks for itself . I wish Blaine Ison and his new program the very best. I will have to make sure I get myself a new green and gold SJN Celtics Wrestling t-shirt to show my support for the newest wrestling team in the state!
[Photo Credit] Blaine Ison’s FB page