Stephen Atwood is a native of Boone, North Carolina where he wrestled four years at Watauga High School. He was a WNCHSAA Champion his senior year. Atwood then went to a brief stint in college football before joining the wrestling team at Appalachian State University, where he wrestled for three years. Upon graduation, he accepted the position as head wrestling coach at Mitchell High School in 1981. Atwood coached at Mitchell from 1981to1992 where his teams earned five conference championships, four conference runner-ups, and two regional championships. He coached Mitchell to a state tournament runner up finish in 1987, and then to its the first state championship in any sport in 1988. His 1990 team was also state tournament champions, finishing as runner-up in the dual team playoffs that same year. His tenure at Mitchell produced 20+ state qualifiers and six individual state champions, including four in 1988 alone. Atwood then moved to Waynesville to become head coach at Tuscola High School. During his time at Tuscola the Mountaineers won ten Conference Championships, were 2x Regional Dual Team Champions, 4x Individual Regional Tournament Champions, 2x Dual Team State Runner up, and 2x Individual Team Runner up. Tuscola wrestlers earned six state titles, four runner up finishes, four third place finishes and two fourth place finishes in state competition. All total Atwood coaches 12 individual state champions over his career. He was named Conference Coach of the Year numerous times, and was the 1989 MAT NEWS Coach of the Year for the 1a/2A classification. Numerous former wrestlers now serve as high school head coaches, assistants, and youth league coaches. Atwood has two sons, Daniel and David, and he and his wife Kaye currently reside in Waynesville, NC. Coach Atwood has retired from teaching high school Science and now enjoys fishing, spending time with family, and giving back to his community.