John Geary was a 1973 graduate of Brooke High School where he began wrestling his sophomore year under Coach Ron Mauck and Paul Billiard. After graduation, he went on to Fairmont State College where he was a four year starter on their 3X WVIAC Championship Wrestling Team under Coach Sam Church. He was a graduate of Fairmont State with a BA in Education and later his Master's Degree from West Virginia University.

John was employed with the Marion County Board of Education for 20 years. In 1983, he began his coaching career with Joe Naternicola at West Fairmont High School.

In 1997, he became Head Coach at East Fairmont High School where he held that position until his retirement in 2018. During that time, he coached 24 State Champions, 48 State Finalists, and 95 State Place Winners. John coached his teams to a Dual Meet record of 378-172-1, 8 Regional Championships, 9 Conference Championships, and Runner-Up in 2007 (AAA), 2017 (AA), and 2018 (AA).

John was named NCAC Coach of the Year 6 times. He received the Big 10 Conference Coach of the Year on 3 different occasions. Also John received the Rod Oldham AAA Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2007, the NFCA West Virginia Wrestling Coach if the Year in 2010, and named the Dix Manning AA Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2018.

John and his wife Vicki, of 39 years reside in Fairmont. They raised 3 children; twin boys, Ben and Brandon, and a daughter Natalie. They have 4 grandchildren, Sadie, Maggie, Cooper, and Samuel.