John Craig wrestled at West Liberty State College for three years, earning All-America honors after a runner-up finish at the 1972 NAIA national tournament. He also won three championships and was named conference most valuable wrestler twice.

Craig served as a head coach at four different high schools: Hillsboro High School (1972-74), Oregon Clay High School (1974-75), Steubenville High School (1975-93) and Indian Creek High School (1993-98).

He guided 42 tournament championship teams, nine district championship teams, six conference championships and seven division winners. He mentored five individual Ohio state champions, 87 state tournament qualifiers, 23 state tournament place-winners and 31 individual conference champions.

A five-time conference coach of the year and 1989 Ohio Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year Craig was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999.

He was named Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Wrestling Coach of the Year on five occasions and was presented the prestigious “Mr. Mat Award” in 2002 from the OVAC.

In addition to coaching, Craig spent 21 years as a wrestling official at the youth, junior high school, high school, open and collegiate levels. John was one of the founders of the Buckeye 8 Athletic Conference.

He was named to the West Liberty State College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.