Durango High School head varsity wrestling coach John Gurule resigned from his position Tuesday.

Gurule coached the Demons for two seasons in place of Doug Cuddie. He cited time constraints to DHS athletic director David Preszler as the reason for his resignation. Gurule currently is pursuing a graduate degree.

“I respect that. (Gurule) did a great job for us. We met with all the wrestlers and told them, and now we will go to work to find a new coach,” Preszler said. “We will march to the human resources drum and get going right away to find a replacement.”

Gurule is from Ignacio and wrestled in high school for the Bobcats.

He said it as a tough decision to make but one he ultimately had to make.

“I wish the kids the best of luck and know they will be successful in the future,” Gurule said. “I will definitely keep an eye on how the boys will do in the future.”

Gurule qualified nine wrestlers for the state tournament in two seasons. Three of those wrestlers placed, with Patrick Cunnion placing fourth each of the last two years and Matthew Lavengood placing second this season. Daniel Gustavson also was a fifth-place finisher in 2014.

“I honestly think I left the program better than when I came in,” Gurule said. “I tried to set everyone up for success in the future before I left.”

Gurule said he hopes to coach again some day when he has more time. He said he looks forward to being an educator when he completes school.

He also helped coach the throwers on the DHS track and field team and will join the team at the state meet this week.

“I still have a little coaching left to do this year,” he said.

jlivingston@durangoherald.com