Josh Bosken
The Higher Calling Youth Wrestling Club of Cleveland announced this week that Josh Bosken has been named as the club’s new head coach.
Bosken previously served as head coach of the Cleveland High School Blue Raiders wrestling team and has been involved with the high school and middle school wrestling programs at Cleveland since 2007.
“I’m thankful for the time I spent at Cleveland High and it was a great experience for me, but this is right move for my family,” Bosken said.
“This is a tremendous opportunity because I have gone through the process from the bottom to the top and understand the importance of a stable and successful youth program. I look forward to the process of seeking out Cleveland High Schools next batch of State Champions.”
Higher Calling is a wrestling program that gives young wrestlers of all skill levels, grades K through 8, a chance to learn the essentials of practice and competition. The goal of the program is to train and maintain the highest-quality athletes to help continue the finest wrestling program in Tennessee.
Bosken and his wife, Sadi, recently celebrated the birth of twins Kennedy and Kate. The family already had two previous children, Zac and Zane.
Chad Laxton, Higher Calling’s President, said it was a strategic move for the club to be trusted to Bosken.
“Josh is a proven winner who has helped coach 54 state medalists and nine state champions, plus contributing to six state championship teams,” said Laxton. “He has
played a role in all three phases of the program - middle school, high school and Higher Calling. He understands how important each phase is and we are thankful for what he will mean to Higher Calling.”
Higher Calling received national attention in April when the Allan Jones Foundation auctioned off a King Ranch F-150 4X4 pickup autographed twice by President George W. Bush. The majority of the proceeds from the auction went to Higher Calling.
Jones said Bosken is largely responsible for the success of the Cleveland High program and noted that Bosken had served as Higher Calling coach from 2009 to 2016.
“When he was coach of the kids club, Josh guided his wrestlers win state titles three times – and historically more than doubled all the other state scores!” Jones said.
Jones said winning is a three-pronged approach.
“It includes the high school head coach, the middle school head coach, and the kids club coach,” said Jones. “The kids club coach is the most important, because he is the one who gets the kids interested and teaches them about the joy of winning.”
Bosken offered a special thanks to the Foundation and to the Jones companies like Check Into Cash that have supported the club.
“Check Into Cash has done more for these kids than we ever thought possible,” Bosken said. “Allan Jones has said many times that Higher Calling is important because the wrestlers develop a love for the sport and build a strong work ethic that will carry them through life. He also appreciates that we strive to teach young athletes moral character and good sportsmanship. Winning starts at this level.”
Toby Pendergrass, director of the foundation, agreed with Bosken.
“If there is a state championship won in wrestling, the Allan Jones Foundation wants it to be one of our three schools – and it all starts with the Kids Club,” said Pendergrass.
Upon learning that he had been named head coach, Bosken said, “I am well aware of the expectations Higher Calling has, and I am ready to work restlessly to assure that they are met. The best is yet to come – we are breeding future champions!”