Coaches

2023-2024 Harford Tech Wrestling Coaching Staff

Ja'Juan Burrell - Varsity Head Coach 

7th season - Coaching Record: 111-54-0 

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Alma Mater: Perry Hall '05 / West Virginia University / Grand Canyon University

Coaching History:

2008 - 2016: Aberdeen HS - Assistant Coach

2016 - present: Harford Tech HS - Head Coach

Coach Burrell, a former Division-I wrestler & assistant coach at Aberdeen HS, was named the fourth head wrestling coach in Harford Tech history in August of 2016.

In his first season at Tech, he was challenged with the task of rebuilding the program with only four returning Varsity wrestlers and 17 first-year freshmen. He succeeded, qualifying five wrestlers for the 2A/1A East Regional Tournament, four of which placed in the top 6 in their respective weight class. 2017 seniors Zachary Granese & Michael Hartloff were able to qualify for the State Championships at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.

Coach Burrell has since led the Cobras to Regional Dual Tournament Championships and berths to the MPSSAA State Dual Meet semifinals in each of the last two seasons, along with a Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference tournament title in 2022.  He earned his 100th career coaching win in 2023 on the first day of Tomahawk Duals after the Cobras defeated the Parkville Knights, 63-14.

To date, Burrell has qualified a wrestler for the state championships in each of his 14 seasons, having sent a total of 41 wrestlers to the state tournament with 13 state placewinners, two MPSSAA State Champions (Shayduan Velez & Ethan Smith), and one state runner-up (Kelvin Mendez). Smith would eventually become a two-time undefeated State Champion, a FloNationals Champion, and a three-time NCAA Division-I All-American for the Ohio State University.  

Burrell is a USA Wrestling Bronze Level Certified Coach. He teaches Mathematics at Harford Tech, and also coaches Football and Track & Field. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Tyler Granese - Associate Head Coach (7th season)

Hometown: Abingdon, MD

Alma Mater: Harford Tech '12

Coaching History:

2016 - present: Harford Tech High School (Bel Air, MD) - Assistant Coach

Coach Granese was the first of five Harford Tech alumni to return to the program to give back during Coach Burrell's tenure. 

Granese is a lightweight wrestler at heart but has the expertise to coach any wrestler at any weight class. His work in training his brother, Zachary, was paramount to Zach's success in his senior season. 

Coach Granese was also instrumental in the development of 1st year freshman Ethan Adams, who came within one victory from placing top-six in his first UCBAC Championships appearance, as well as 2nd-year sophomore Inigo Capinpin, who was an alternate for the Regional Championships.  Coach Granese will look to further his influence with the lightweights in the program this upcoming season.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Matt Davis - Assistant Coach (5th season)

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Alma Mater: Loyola Blakefield '03

Coaching History: 

2018 - 2019, 2022 - present: Harford Tech HS - JV Assistant Coach

2019 - 2022: Harford Tech HS - JV Head Coach

Coach Davis took over the helm of the JV Program in 2019 after the departure of Coach Fielder. He is tasked with the responsibility of creating a pipeline of talented youth that will eventually be prepared for success at the Varsity level.

Coach Davis teaches the Food Preparation & Management program at Harford Tech. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Zachary Granese - Assistant Coach (3rd season)

Hometown: Abingdon, MD

Alma Mater: Harford Tech '17

Coaching History:

2021 - present: Harford Tech HS - Assistant Coach

__________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Marcus Webster - Junior Varsity Head Coach (3rd season)

Hometown: Aberdeen, MD

Alma Mater: Aberdeen '11 / Allegheny College

Coaching History:

2021 - present: Harford Tech HS - Assistant Coach

Webster, a former UCBAC Champion & state qualifier under Coach Burrell at Aberdeen, joined the Harford Tech staff in the 2021-2022 season.