For the last 20 years, Paul Collins has coached the Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling program – ten as an assistant, followed by ten as the varsity head coach. Collins recently decided to turn over the program to Jason Renteria, a 2017 OPRF graduate and one of the most-accomplished wrestlers ever for the Huskies. At a District 200 Board of Education meeting, July 10, the board approved Renteria as the new head coach. Collins will remain on Renteria’s staff as an assistant.
Renteria, who was one of Collins’ assistant coaches the past two seasons, told Wednesday Journal in an interview that he’s thrilled to lead OPRF, which has been one of the state’s top programs for the past two decades.
“It’s definitely a little nervous because I know what it’s like being in the program,” he said, “but the way it’s turned around the last two years, I’m excited about what’s to come this year. We have a great group of kids who’ve put in a lot of work together.”
While Collins said there’s never a perfect time for a change, the desire to spend more time with his family played a role in his decision to step down.
“To be honest, I’d been thinking about it for a little bit,” Collins said. “I started my family late (he has three children). It puts things in perspective, and I thought it was time. I didn’t want to get to a point where I was not spending enough time with my family.”
Renteria was a four-time state finalist for the Huskies, and the program’s only wrestler to reach the championship match all four years. He won Class 3A titles at 120 pounds in 2016 and at 132 pounds in 2017. He was also runner-up at 106 in 2014 and at 113 in 2015. He finished his OPRF career with a sterling 144-8 record.
New Oak Park-River Forest High School boys wrestling head coach Jason Renteria from his days as a Huskies’ wrestler, taking down an opponent. Renteria finished his career with a record of 144-8. | Provided 
New Oak Park and River Forest High School boys wrestling head coach Jason Renteria (top row, third from left) was part of the Huskies’ 2016 Class 3A state championship squad. The title completed a three-peat for OPRF. | Provided 
New Oak Park and River Forest High School boys wrestling head coach Jason Renteria (left) takes over the program from Paul Collins (right). Collins has spent the last 20 years coaching the Huskies, including the past 10 as head coach. | Provided 
New Oak Park-River Forest High School wrestling head coach Jason Renteria. Renteria is a two-time state champion for the Huskies, having won titles in 2016 and 2017. | Provided
“Jason is going to be awesome,” Collins said. “He did really well as a wrestler, but he’s come in as an assistant for the last two and a half years and was ready to take over the reins. We wanted to move forward and make sure the program was taken care of, and I think we’re in a really good spot.”
Before returning to OPRF, Renteria served as head coach at IC Catholic Prep for two seasons. That proved to be an invaluable experience which helped prepare him for this moment.
“It helped me see the other side of wrestling,” he said. “All the little things you never paid attention to as a wrestler, you see now as a coach.”
Renteria, who recently turned 26, adds that being a head coach at his age can be of great value for the entire program.
“It plays a big part in the trust and connection,” he said. “They see my name in the [wrestling] room. It wasn’t long ago, so everything I’m telling them is the same it was when I wrestled.”
Collins said he’ll miss being around the wrestlers all the time. It’s something he’s always enjoyed.
“It’s going to be an adjustment,” he said. “The camaraderie, the ability to build relationships, those are things I’ll miss. Working with the kids is why you get into teaching. My hope is that I’ve built relationships and done good things for people as they’ve made their way through our program.”
Renteria is thankful that Collins is sticking around to help out. He’s appreciative of showing him the ropes and preparing him to take over. And he’s determined to keep OPRF among the state’s best. To do so, Renteria says he’ll focus on details and keep doing what’s proven successful, while adding a few tweaks.
“It’s a matter of fine-tuning everything,” he said. “The kids know the standard they want to keep, and it’s going to be an easier transition since I’ve been working with the boys the past two years. Nothing’s really changing; everyone’s still playing their part.”