Brent Paulson resigned Wednesday as the wrestling coach at Kennedy High School after nine seasons.

Paulson compiled a 95-77 record as Kennedy's head coach and had four state champions.

Paulson was an outstanding wrestler for the Cougars during his high school career with a 110-10-1 record, capped by the 119-pound state title as a senior in 1992.

Paulson met with his wrestlers Wednesday afternoon and informed them of his decision to step down.

"The Kennedy program is a place that is so important to me and my family," he said in a statement released by the school. "It is a place that I've spent many, many hours of my life.

"To be honest, Kennedy wrestling is the place where I learned how to be a man."

The 2011-12 season was a difficult campaign for the Cougars. Jeff Clark, one of Kennedy's assistant coaches, died suddenly early in the season, making a profound impact on Paulson and the wrestlers.

Paulson will continue as a physical education instructor at Wright and Nixon elementary schools.