Jeff Hill, a 1985 graduate of Plano High School, was a four-year letter winner under Hall of Fame coaches Mick Ruettiger and Joe Cliffe. This is where his lifelong passion for wrestling first began. 

He went on to continue his career at Division III powerhouse Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, earning four Varsity letters. 

Jeff’s coaching journey began 35 years ago at Waverly-Shell Rock High School in Iowa, before taking his first head coaching position in Parkersburg. 

In 1991, he arrived at Petersburg PORTA, where he has led the Bluejays wrestling program for the past 34 years. Under his leadership, PORTA has enjoyed 34 consecutive winning seasons and compiled 826 dual meet victories. This is the most in IHSA history. 

During his tenure, PORTA has claimed 20 IHSA Regional titles, qualified for the IHSA Dual Team State Tournament 10 times, and earned five state trophies, highlighted by a State Championship in 2010 and a State Runner-Up finish in 2014. 

In addition to his coaching record, Jeff has served the sport beyond the mat. He has been a member of the IHSA Advisory Committee and the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Board of Directors. Currently, he serves as the National Wrestling Chairman for the High School Athletic Coaches Association. He is also the Co-Founder of ABE’s Rumble, an annual Springfield tournament during the holidays that hosts 60 IHSA Class A teams in a premier dual meet competition. 

His achievements have been recognized statewide and nationally. Jeff was the Illinois nominee for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year finalist in both 2013 and 2022, and he was named Illinois Coach of the Year in 2007. He was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Over the years, Jeff has coached and mentored 110 individual state qualifiers, with 28 earning state medals. This includes 4 state champions and 5 runner-up finishers. 

Yet, for all his accomplishments in wrestling, Jeff is most proud of his role as a father to his son, John, and his twins, Aaron and Haddie, who are his most significant victories of his lifetime.