Drey Keairnes ’14, is living out his dream of being a wrestling coach. Along with being the head wrestling coach at Schuyler Central High School in Nebraska, he also is the head volleyball coach, Library Media Specialist,, and teaches college-level literature classes and graphic design.

“My lifelong goal has always been to be a head wrestling coach, and I am currently in my second year of living that dream. I love sharing something I am so passionate about and something that gave me so much in my life to the next generation of young men. Teaching them how to navigate the highs and lows of the sport, and knowing that those lessons will stick with them forever is incredibly rewarding.”

His road to teaching and coaching took a bit of a detour during his time in college. After starting at Dana College, the school closed and Drey was left looking for a new home. “My wrestling coach, and entire team, was headed to Midland and I followed them because that’s where my passion was. It was such a great transition and Midland welcomed me with open arms and quickly became a home for me. I loved how our team was one big family and always had each other's backs. The long hours of wrestling practices and extra workouts felt much easier when you had a brotherhood to suffer with.”

Along with being part of a wrestling team, Drey fondly looks back on time spent with many of his professors, especially Dr. Barb Feezel (education) and Dr. Henry Krusiewicz (Professor of English). “They both pushed me intellectually, but also gave me the freedom to be myself, and they guided me toward success in the way that suited me best.”

Drey met his wife (Alicia Schott ’15) while at Midland. She is a principal at Schuyler Elementary School, and the couple have two children. “I am incredibly proud to be a father of two children and the husband to my amazing wife. My kids keep me motivated to continue setting and working toward goals so that I can be an example to them of how to strive for success and be a good human.”

He enjoys following his kids around during their various activities, as well as being outdoors while hiking, fishing, kayaking, or golfing. “We spend a lot of time on the field or in gymnasiums. I love watching them develop their passions through athletics and activities.”