RUMFORD — Chris Bean still believes in learning and executing the basics.

Bean was recently named varsity wrestling coach at Mountain Valley High School.  He replaces Gary Dolloff, who retired after the Falcons won the Class B state championship last winter.

Bean has been around the mats for more than four decades. He first learned the finer points of the sport as a wrestler and then worked under several coaches. This included serving the past decade as an assistant Dolloff.

“I (started) for two years in 1983 and '84 under coach (Jerry) Perkins and Doug Gilbert,” Bean said. “But, then my work took me out of town until 1993. I would help coach junior high when time permitted and in 1994 with high school coach Steve Nokes. In 2000, I started getting paid as assistant.”

Over the years, Bean has developed some simple philosophies, which he believes will provide wrestlers with an edge. First is having respect for your parents, coaches, teammates, opponents, officials and everyone else. A person is then less apt to take even the simplest things for granted and becomes a hard worker. Secondly, rams make champs, which refers to the infamous run in the high school. Bean believes (physical) conditioning is so important because if you cheat the ramp, it will show on the mat.

“Chris was super dedicated wrestling for me and coaching for me,” Perkins said. “He is very knowledgeable in basics and knows what it takes to win.”

Bean believes a lot of the basics have been lost somewhere down the line because some kids are so wrapped up in the special move that they are missing some very basic and simple moves.

“There are some traits kids need to be successful,” Bean said, who is limited since having neck surgery. “I think they have to be focused and not wrestle the name. (Objective) is to go out and work as hard as you can each and every time. Never quit. If you lose, lose with class.”

As a freshman in 1978, Bean lacked experience and, with nearly 50 other kids, it was tough. He listened and learned some very important things about being in proper starting position.

“My teammates taught me a lot of basics,”Bean said. “Because if you didn't do them right, you could end up with a broken nose, as I did twice. My sophomore year, at the beginning, I didn't make varsity I was so angry with myself I actually quit for one night of practice."

Bean quickly refocused and asked coach Perkins for another chance. It required a week's worth of extra ramps after practice. He realized having solid working partners in the hot room would be an asset. Rumford lost states that year by one-half point, but won the state meet in 1981. Bean and Mark Dolloff were co-captains the following season.