John Robert Kayajanian came to Virginia from New England. He was born January 14, 1956, in Providence, Rhode Island, to John and Gloria Kayajanian. Growing up in Warwick, Rhode Island, he excelled in football and wrestling at Warwick High School, graduating in 1974. He started his college days at the University of Rhode Island, but finished at Frostburg State in western Maryland, enjoying a couple of outstanding football seasons before graduating in 1978. From there, John, now "Coach K" for the rest of his life, became a P.E. teacher at Orange County High School in 1979. He also immediately began coaching wrestling and football. In 1980, he was named head wrestling coach, where he achieved a longevity and success rare in Virginia wrestling. Over a 34-year span, he compiled a record of 621 wins and 247 losses; over half his seasons ended with a district championship (18); one of his teams won a regional championship; and eight of his wrestlers won individual state championships. During many of his years as head wrestling coach, he would jump into the winter season after several exhausting months as head football coach of the Fighting Hornets (1995-2012). He thrived under the pressure, leading his teams to three district championships in football while winning 101 games during his tenure. John married Lori Anne Brandenburg on June 26, 1982. The marriage was blessed with three children, Carla, John, and Michael. After a life full of love and achievement, he died of a heart attack on March 14, 2017. His athletic director, Marc Cole, had this to say about his friend and colleague: "Despite all the wins. . . .the best thing about Coach K is that he never gave up on a kid. In today's world, doors get slammed in a lot of kids' faces. He always found a way to keep it open."