Former GHS Wrestling Coach John Dechant will be inducted to the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame on February 18, 2018.   

John is married to Darlene Dechant; they have two sons, Shawn and Colin Dechant.  Dechant worked at GHS as a U.S. History teacher for 23 years, as Dean of Students for 6 years, and as Athletic Director for 2 years.  He retired in 2001 and received the Northern Lakes Conference Service Award in 2002.

Prior to his coaching and teaching career, John graduated from Franklin High School (Ohio) in 1963 where he played football and basketball and ran track.  After high school, Dechant went on to play football and compete in wrestling at Ball State University, and eventually graduated in 1968.  He went on to coach freshman football at BSU for 1 year, and later taught and coached at Richmond High School for 2 years before coming to Goshen High School.

He coached wrestling at Goshen for 19 years (1971-1990). He was also an assistant track coach for 10 years and an assistant football coach for 4 years.  During his 19 seasons as the head wrestling coach, Coach Dechant went 204-63-4 in dual meets, had 27 invitational tournament championships, 6 NLC championships, 12 IHSAA Sectional championships, and 5 IHSAA Regional championships.  John has also coached many champion wrestlers during his time at GHS including:  41 NLC champions, 121 Sectional champions, 40 Regional champions, 3 semi state champions, 17 state finalists, 7 state place winners, and 1 state champion.

John was inducted to the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame in 2010, as well as the Ball State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013-14.  He has been the Director of the GHS Wrestling Invitational for 48 years, as well as Director of the Northern Lakes Tournament for 25 years, and Director of the IHSAA Goshen Regional for 27 years.

Congratulations, John, and thank you for your service and commitment to the student athletes at Goshen High School!