Mike "Coach Rod" Rodriguez, who built Detroit Catholic Central into a Michigan high school wrestling powerhouse over four decades, died Oct. 9 at age 94.

Rodriguez served as head wrestling coach at Catholic Central, now in Novi, from 1967 to 2007, leading the Shamrocks to seven MHSAA state championships. The school posted a tribute announcing his death. His coaching career included more than 730 dual meet wins. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame biography details his coaching and competitive accomplishments.

His first three title teams, in 1969, 1970 and 1971, made him the first coach in MHSAA history to win three consecutive Class A wrestling state championships, according to the Hall of Fame biography. He added titles in 1974, 1978, 1983 and 1988.

Rodriguez coached 29 individual state champions who combined for 38 titles, produced 18 All-Americans and mentored more than 125 state placers. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1972 and earned five Michigan High School Wrestling Coach of the Year honors.

Three of his sons wrestled for the Shamrocks. Steve won an individual state title in 1972 and David won one in 1975; both went on to wrestle at Michigan State. Chris finished third at states and wrestled at Eastern Michigan.

Before coaching, Rodriguez built his own decorated career on the mat. He grew up in Ann Arbor, won two National Prep Championships in Pennsylvania and wrestled at the University of Michigan under coach Cliff Keen. He won three Big Ten championships and was a two-time NCAA finalist. He later won an AAU national championship, finished fifth at the World Championships in Japan and was named an alternate for the 1960 Rome Olympics.

His honors include induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Michigan Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. He received a Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the hall's Michigan chapter in 1990. The Catholic High School League named its annual wrestling academic achievement award after him, according to the league’s award page, and DCC's wrestling facility bears his name as the Mike Rodriguez Wrestling Center.

Rodriguez also served as head golf coach at Catholic Central from 1968 to 1976, winning two Catholic League and three regional championships. After retiring from coaching in 2007, he stayed connected to the program as a spiritual moderator. In February 2025, he visited the wrestling team ahead of the state tournament to address current wrestlers and returning alumni, according to the school’s account of the visit.

The school said Rodriguez was preceded in death by his wife, June, who died in December 2025. They were married 73 years. He is survived by six children, 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. with a rosary service at Detroit Catholic Central, 27225 Wixom Road in Novi. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m., with in-state visitation beginning at 10 a.m., according to his obituary.

Memorial donations may be made to Beat the Streets Detroit or the Mike Rodriguez Endowment.