Marty Willingham is a 1983 graduate of Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, AL.  He played golf, football, baseball and was on the wrestling team. He was a four-time individual state champion and a member of the state champion squad in wrestling. He was selected as the most valuable wrestler in Alabama for 1982-83 and was a high school All-American from 1980 to 1983.  

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From 1984 to 1988 he served with the United States Marines and he is a 1992 graduate of the University of North Alabama.

 

He has coached both wrestling and football for Chapman Middle School in Huntsville, AL.

 

Nationally, Willingham was on the USA Today High School All-American Squad holding an overall record of 111-12-1 with 48 pins.