When Mark Line resigned as a teacher and head wrestling coach at Lowell in February 2005, the likelihood of him ever getting another such chance seemed remote.

Line came to school with what was determined to be a blood alcohol content of 0.06, and wondered if he would ever be able to escape the long shadow of the circumstances.

"To be honest, for probably the first year, year-and-a-half, I felt that way," Line said. "People from the outside, I think they were kind of going, 'Let's see how he really handles himself.'"

Bruce Cunningham brought Line on board at North Newton and he also helped out with Crown Point's youth club.

"I think once they saw, OK, he's trying to teach young men to turn a negative into a positive," Line said.

Last winter at the Crown Point Sectional, Boone Grove coach Mike Poynter approached Line, a friend from Poynter's coaching days at Highland, about possibly shortening his drive and coming to lend a hand with the Wolves. A few months ago, Poynter decided that with the addition of football to his already busy coaching plate, he would step down from his high school wrestling duties.

He let Boone Grove athletic director Doug Knutson know and recommended Line for the position. After speaking at length with Line about the Lowell matter as well as wrestling, Knutson added his backing and Line was subsequently approved for hire.

"Everyone was willing to put that aside," Poynter said. "He's a good coach, a good person, and he deserves to be somewhere. I know I'm leaving it in good hands."

Line, who is now employed as an insurance agent, is understandably appreciative.

"I think it's a great opportunity," Line said. "I'm excited to be back. I think the kids are there. There's talent in the room. It's just bringing it out, helping them realize it doesn't matter what size of school you come from in this sport, it's the man in the singlet. It's not anything else but how much you're willing to do to be successful, to be a champion."

As Line knows, it only takes one mistake to tear down years of good work, like he did at Lowell. He's not asking for a free pass or for people to look the other way. He's simply looking to move forward and make the most of his second chance.

"I think everything happens for a reason," he said. "What happened, happened. It's in the past. I think it turned out to be a positive situation for all parties. I'm happy Lowell is still having the success they are. I love the sport. I love being with the kids, teaching them to be young men, just giving them the opportunities wrestling has given me in my life. There are a lot of lessons they can learn that get you through things in life."

The Wolves wrestlers have to look no further than their coach for proof of that.

"I didn't know if the position would ever come along again," Line said. "I was resigned to that. Building a program also allows you to show the true person you are. People can see, hey, he's a good guy."

Boone's definitely rolling the dice here. It certainly could've made a lot safer hire. But could it have made a better hire? Line plans to prove that the answer is no. He's staking his name on it.

This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at jim.peters@nwi.com.