Former Pope wrestling coach Jim Haskin did everything possible to help promote wrestling in Georgia during his 30-year coaching career, and now he is going to get the ultimate recognition for what he did for the sport. Haskin is one of seven individuals who will make up the 2023 class of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Georgia Chapter. He joins current Reinhardt university coach Jeff Bedard; wrestling official Mike Bostick; Bill Gifford, who started the first wrestling-specific Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry; former Rockdale and Hall County coach Mitch McGhee; former Roswell coach Wayne Smith; and former state champion and wrestling official Johnny Stallings.
All seven will enter the hall as “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” recipients, which recognizes those who contributed at least 20 years to the sport as a coach, refereeor contributor. They will be inducted as part of a ceremony April 23 in Flowery Branch. Haskin, who retired from coaching following the 2021-22 season, started his career with one season as an assistant at Cedar Grove and then served two years as head coach at Druid Hills.
However, in 1995, Haskin began building Pope into the consistent winner and state power it became under his guidance. During that time, he compiled a 570-148 dual record, winning seven state titles — three traditional and four duals championships — and an additional four state runner-up finishes.
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