FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2025

Marshall High School Welcomes Matthew Barakat as New Varsity Head Wrestling Coach

Marshall High School is proud to announce the hiring of Matthew Barakat as the new Varsity Head (Co-ed) Wrestling Coach for the 2025-2026 school year. With nearly two decades of coaching experience across youth and high school programs, Coach Barakat brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and leadership to the Statesmen wrestling program.

Barakat has served as an assistant wrestling coach at Marshall High School since 2022, playing a key role in athlete development and team growth. He has also been an integral part of the school's football coaching staff, currently serving as the head coach of the freshman football team.

Before joining Marshall, Barakat led the Lions Wrestling Club from 2007 to 2018, guiding wrestlers aged 5 to 14 years old. As program director from 2012 to 2018, he helped build the club into one of the most successful in the Northern Virginia Wrestling Federation, producing multiple future state champions and boasting the highest win percentage in the league during his tenure.

Barakat also brings extensive experience coaching youth football and baseball in the Northern Virginia area, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to student-athlete development across multiple sports.

Outside of athletics, Barakat had a distinguished career in journalism, working with the Associated Press from 1999 to 2025 and earning numerous accolades, including AP Staffer of the Year for Virginia in 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland, where he graduated cum laude and was recognized as a National Merit Scholar.

Marshall is thrilled to have Coach Barakat lead our wrestling program.  His dedication to student-athletes, proven leadership, and passion for wrestling make him the ideal choice to guide our team to future success.

Please join us in welcoming Coach Matthew Barakat to his new role as Varsity Head Boys Wrestling Coach.