Goles began his coaching career as a football coach at Washington High School in 1944 and promptly coached two undefeated seasons. But his real gift to Warren Hills-Washington High School came as the highly successful wrestling coach from 1944 through 1979. Over a period of 36 years, he amassed an enviable record of 276-154-8. On four occasions his team earned state championships and was runners up six times. His accomplishments with individual wrestlers are truly amazing. He has coached 46 wrestlers to State Championships, 31 state runners-up, 10 third place finishers, and 4 Outstanding Wrestlers awards. Goles has coached seven wrestlers to heavyweight titles with Bill Oberly earning a National Championship at Penn State. All of these accomplishments are even more significant in that John Goles never wrestled as a contestant. In recognition of his success as a wrestling coach, the Easton-Times Express selected him as one of the “Top 100 Sports People” in the Lehigh Valley Area. The Star-Ledger selected him as the all centuries Wrestling Coach of the 1950’s.