Gained Experience After 9 Years as An Assistant 

By Ken Hamwey
Staff Sports Writer

A new coach, so often, needs time to acclimate to new personnel, assess a program’s culture, install a process and get familiar with facilities.

None of those adjustments are likely to be problems for Mike Poirier, who was selected in July to succeed John Adams as King Philip’s wrestling coach. Adams not only retired from coaching, but he also has left education. He was a guidance counselor in the KP school district for 23 years.

Poirier, who was Adams’ assistant for nine years, was highly recommended by the former coach to succeed him. The 36-year-old Poirier directed the junior-varsity team, worked with varsity wrestlers, and was in charge of compiling film for practice sessions. 

“My transition to head coach should go smoothly,’’ said Poirier who lives in North Attleboro with his wife Jill and son Tucker. “Everyone in the program knows me and I’m fully aware how the program has progressed. We’ll continue to do the things that John and I did in practice. It will be a little different, but basically still the same.’’

During Adams’ 10-year stint, there were nine winning seasons and his dual-meet record at KP was 149-77.

Poirier, who’ll be starting his 10th year as a special education teacher on KP’s faculty this fall, has high praise for Adams and thoroughly enjoyed his nine years as his aide.

“John had so much knowledge and I tried to absorb as much as I could,’’ Poirier emphasized. “He paid strict attention to detail and taught me what coaching is all about. As time went on, he gave me more and more responsibilities that allowed me to learn and grow from my mistakes. He was a fantastic mentor.’’

Poirier has set three goals for his rookie year that he believes are realistic.

“I want the team to perform at the highest level during the regular season and that means winning an in-season tournament,’’ he noted. “Another goal is to qualify at least half of our team for the state tourney, which is a minimum of seven. And, my last objective is to get as much post-season hardware (trophies) as possible. These goals are hard but they can be achieved.’’

Poirier is acutely aware that wrestlers must be disciplined because of the nature of their sport. His style and approach will focus on keeping discipline high. “I’ll stress the need to maintain discipline and I’ll also emphasize that technique and skill development are the keys to excel and to get to the next level.’’

KP lost 11 seniors to graduation but Poirier doesn’t have any thoughts about rebuilding because about 20 boys are returning with different degrees of experience.

“I’m in a good spot,’’ he said. “We lost some talented kids but we have a strong senior group and our juniors and sophomores have the ability to fill gaps, thanks to the hard work of Bob Cloutier at the youth level. The KP Youth Wrestling program helps us to bring in quality athletes year after year. Our returnees have high wrestling IQs, they’re athletic, well-skilled and technically sound.’’

Poirier’s favorite moment during his time as Adams’ assistant came in 2017 when Brad Oliverio won a state title competing in the 215-pound class. “He was the first KP wrestler to win a state title during my years as an assistant,’’ Poirier recalled. “I spent a lot of time with Brad in practice. We knew he could do well in the post-season but he surprised everyone.’’

The attributes Poirier admires in his wrestlers are all about being competitive and disciplined. “I want our kids to have the drive to win and that translates to being mentally tough and being comfortable with discomfort,’’ he said. “Our competitors must be strong, quick and athletic, be technically sound, students of the sport and able to trust the process by learning from the daily grind.’’

Poirier’s philosophy of competing will focus on three areas. “I want to produce the best performing team I can, recruit kids who respect the sport and are good ambassadors for KP’s program, and make sure all our competitors are enjoying their athletic journey,’’ he said. 

Valuable life lessons that Poirier hopes his wrestlers learn by competing are: “to develop a strong work ethic, overcome adversity, be resilient, and learn to be leaders and good teammates.’’

A native of North Providence, R.I., Poirier graduated from North Attleboro High in 2006 where he wrestled for four years. He was a captain and a Hockomock all-star as a senior and the 2005-06 team finished as a sectional champion. He enrolled at Bridgewater State University and received his degree in history in 2011. 

For the next five years, Poirier, who has a master’s degree in special education from Endicott College, worked as a substitute teacher in Plainville and North Attleboro before he was hired at KP in 2014. Before coaching at KP, he assisted his brother (Brett) who was coaching at the Kryptonite Wrestling Club in Plainville.

Poirier, who is KP’s public address announcer for football games, has three more months before his team suits up for practice in late November. His advice to his wrestlers is “to stay active.’’

He’s advising personal workouts, strength and conditioning drills and “if a boy plays a fall sport, that’s a plus.’’

Mike Poirier has a good grip on what’s needed to maintain KP’s success on the mat. He’s the right coach at the right time to direct the Warriors’ wrestling program.