Silvestri was named head coach of Danbury’s wrestling program, succeeding his former coach, Ricky Shook, who stepped down after 23 years following the winter season.

A member of Danbury’s Class of 2004, Silvestri wrestled at Penn State and was an assistant coach for Shook for several seasons. He was an assistant at New Milford last winter and is now returning to his roots.

“It’s an honor you don’t think would happen to you,” Silvestri said. “I grew up wrestling at Danbury, it was a big part of my identity and a big part of my life. Now, being able to come back and replace arguably one of the greatest high school coaches of all time is something you can’t make up.

Silvestri was involved in the Danbury fight at all levels. He won a pair of FCIAC championships as well as LL and State Open class titles while wrestling for Shook’s Hatters in the early 2000s.

Since graduating from Penn State in 2008, Silvestri has stayed connected with the city’s high school and youth programs and served as an assistant for Shook.

Having a coach who knows the Danbury landscape is a big plus, according to Danbury Sporting Director Chip Salvestrini.

“He has a lot of wrestling experience, but what I liked the most was that he lived the Danbury wrestling tradition from primary school through high school and as a champion. State,” Salvestrini said. “And he has continued to work over the years with the wrestling program and the community.”

The numbers posted by Shook’s wrestling team over the past 22 seasons are staggering. He had a career record of 391-25 and led the Hatters to 21 FCIAC, 18 CIAC Class LL and 17 State Open championships, as well as two New England crowns.

These stats are hard to follow, but Salvestrini said there was no hesitation when he showed this to Silvestri and asked him “do you still want to do this?”.

“I couldn’t finish the sentence and he came right up and said ‘I do’,” Salvestrini said.

Having the opportunity to work with Shook as a wrestler and trainer helped Silvestri.

“I learned so much from this guy,” Silvestri said. “As a wrestler, he has a way of calming you down and making you understand the bigger picture, which is why I think he’s been so successful.

“He cares about the kids and that’s what ultimately translates into his success. Everyone buys in.”

Salvestrini said Shook was a supporter of Silvestri taking over as head coach “from the get-go” and also came highly recommended by New Milford coach Chris Piel.

Danbury is coming off an 11-1 season in which they won an 11th consecutive FCIAC championship, as well as a Class LL title.

Silvestri’s message to returning wrestlers is simple.

“I went there,” he said. “I went there as a wrestler and saw the ups and downs. I was JV for two years and had two successful years of college, and I saw the whole picture of this what it means to be a high school wrestler in Danbury’s wrestling program.

“I understand Danbury’s wrestling mentality, how Shook has run this program, and he’s going to pick up where he left off and get to work right away.”

Salvestrini said there is always a transition period with coaching changes, and replacing a coach like Shook is a “tall order”, but he is confident Silvestri can handle the situation.

“I want Mike to come in and be himself,” Salvestrini said. “And over time, we’re going to see the same type of program moving forward.”

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