In Episode 59 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with Darren Lindsey, the veteran coach who has turned Marion High School Wrestling into one of the top programs in Southern Illinois.
Since taking over in 2017, Lindsey has guided the Wildcats to a 168–38 record, four South Seven Conference titles, and two regional championships, while also pioneering the school’s girls’ wrestling program—now one of the fastest-growing in the state. But his story goes far beyond wins and losses. A former Herrin High standout, college All-American, and Illinois State Police SWAT officer, Lindsey’s life has been defined by grit, service, and mentorship.
In this episode, Kerry and Coach Lindsey dive into the values that wrestling teaches—resilience, discipline, and mental toughness—and how those lessons apply to life long after the final whistle. They talk about building a program from the ground up, the balance between toughness and compassion, and the evolution of the sport, from backyard beginnings to the booming rise of girls’ wrestling.
It’s a conversation about character, community, and competition—and how the sport that tests you more than any other can also shape who you become.
