It was the perfect scenario for Ryan Yates.

"I was considering the possiblity of moving closer to my roots," said Yates, who graduated from Burrell High School in 2000. "Then came the news that coach [Chris] Como was stepping down as head coach of my alma mater. I just couldn't pass up that opportunity."

The opportunity was so inviting that Yates stepped down as head coach at Fort LeBoeuf High School in Waterford just south of Erie and gave up his position as a health and physical education teacher at the middle school, despite the fact that Burrell did not guarantee a teaching position.

"I'm closing one chapter in my life and starting another," said Yates, who was hired as Buccaneers coach on June 16. "I want to thank the Burrell School District for giving me this opportunity."

Yates was a four-year starter for Como and compiled a 116-30 record for the Buccaneers, despite two seasons that ended prematurely due to injuries.

"I wrestled injured for the last month of my freshman season," Yates said. "I had eight bone chips taken out of my elbow after losing in the [Southwest] regional tournament. A staph infection in my knee ended my sophomore season before the regional tournament."

Yates made up for lost time as a junior, placing second in the PIAA Class AA tournament at 152 pounds. He made a return trip to the state tournament as a senior, but finished fifth at the same weight class.

"My injury problems continued at Edinboro University," Yates said. "I redshirted my first year, then qualified for the NCAA [Division I] tournament the following year. I entered my redshirt sophomore season ranked No. 10 in the country, but had a torn ACL one week before our first match. I missed the entire season."

Yates returned the following season, but things were not the same.

"The injury really affected me," Yates said. "Things were not clicking like they did during my redshirt freshman season."

Yates still had one year of eligibility remaining, but decided to end his wrestling career when a job opportunity became available.

Yates worked at Clarion for two years as a health educator, but continued his education at Edinboro, as he earned a master's degree in educational leadership.

"After earning my master's degree, I decided to get back into wrestling as a coach," Yates said. "I accepted a teaching position at Fort LeBoeuf Middle School and was hired to run the junior high program."

Yates received an unexpected promotion when the varsity staff resigned midway through his second season at Fort LeBoeuf.

"It was quite a challenge to take over a varsity program midway through the season, especially since I wasn't familiar with the kids." Yates said.

Yates faced his alma mater last season at a competition called "War at the Shore."

"Burrell was the defending PIAA champion and I wanted to wrestle [against] them," Yates said. "We were fortunate to beat them."

Now Yates will coach the Bucs.

"It's the perfect scenario," Yates said. "The coaching staff returns intact with me as the new piece to the puzzle."

Yates will take over as head coach, while Como becomes an assistant. Joe Makara and Isaac Greeley have also returned as assistant coaches.

"I didn't want to get out of coaching, but I didn't want the responsibility of being the head coach," said Como, who served as the Buccaneers head coach for the last 11 seasons. "I have a 2-year-old son [Christian] and I want to spend more time with him."

Como compiled an impressive 141-44 record during his 11-year tenure as head coach. He led Burrell to seven consecutive appearances in the WPIAL Class AA title match, and captured four titles -- 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

"It will be great to work with coach Como again," Yates said. "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity."

Burrell posted an 11-7 record last season and claimed its third consecutive WPIAL team tournament title.

Burrell will return 11 starters from last year's squad.

"I know I have big shoes to fill," Yates said. "Coach Como built a heck of a foundation. Now, my job is to come in and put the roof on it; add to that foundation with the things I have learned."