Brett Powell began his wrestling career at West Branch High School, where he won four conference championships and was a state place-winner.

After getting his undergraduate degree from Youngstown State in 1982, Powell was hired as head wrestling coach and assistant football coach at Austintown Finch High School in 1985.

Powell taught and coached at that school for 30 years, finishing his wrestling coaching career with a record of 261-138. During his tenure as head coach, his team finished in the Top 10 four times and had 54 state qualifiers, 19 state place-winners, five state champions, and one national champion.

He also was the coach of the Ohio Team vs. the Cliff Keen National Team in 2007.

Powell has been president of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and is a member of the OHSAA Hall of Fame and the Eastern Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame.