When it comes to coaching success, there aren’t many in New Jersey who have had more than V. Miller Preston. His 398 victories, with 29 winning seasons in 32 years as high school head coach, led the way in him being chosen as a new member of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

His overall record was 397-134-7. Only 17 New Jersey wrestling coaches have more wins.

Preston, who retired from coaching in 1997, is already a member of the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame, having been joined by nine of his former wrestlers. He is also a member of the New Jersey State Coaches Association Hall of Fame, as well as the Haddon Township High School Hall of Fame.

His coaching career began in 1959 as an assistant at Long Branch High School. After five seasons he took an assistant’s position at Haddon Township, and after one year took over the head coaching position there.

Preston was known for stressing conditioning, discipline, preparation and good sportsmanship, as well as maximizing wrestler’s strengths, developing strategies, and the psychological aspect of dealing with failure.

Under his tutelage, Haddon Township would win two Colonial Conference Championships, two South Jersey Group II Championships, 11 District Team Championships, 85 individual District Championships, 21 individual Region Championships, and 2 individual State Championships.

In addition to coaching, Preston was on the South Jersey Wrestling and Officials Association Executive Committee for 15 years, while serving as President for five years.

A graduate of Manasquan High School, Preston went on to wrestle three years at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.

In addition to his years as a wrestling coach, Preston also coached golf.

Of his four children, his three sons wrestled for him at Haddon Township.