Takedown Report

College Coaching changes

Cary Kolat Named Navy Head Wrestling Coach
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Former national champion and Olympic team member Cary Kolat has been named head wrestling coach at Navy it was announced Friday by Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. Kolat has established himself as one of the premier coaches in the sport after building a Campbell program into a Southern Conference power and a national name. The Camels have seen unprecedented success over the last four seasons, winning three SoCon Tournament titles (2017, 2019, 2020) and two regular-season SoCon Championships (2019, 2020). Under his tutelage, he has had 19 NCAA Championship qualifiers, 12 individual SoCon Champions and 28 medalists at the SoCon Tournament.
“The Navy community is very pleased to welcome one of the most accomplished competitors and finest coaches in the sport of wrestling to Annapolis,” said Gladchuk. “The influence with which Coach Kolat’s resume has had on so many speaks volumes to his commitment to success at every level of competition. …. story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Cary-Kolat-Named-Navy-Head-Wrestling-20-3-2020

Hiram College names Andy Vogel Director of Wrestling Operations, Head Men’s Wrestling Coach
HIRAM, Ohio – March 23, 2020 – Hiram College Athletic Director Todd W. Hibbs announced on Monday the appointment of Andy Vogel as the Director of Wrestling Operations and head coach for the reinstatement of the Hiram Terriers men’s wrestling program. Vogel joins the Terriers from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., where he served as the head wrestling coach and assistant director of athletics for the past 13 years.
“We had a strong candidate pool for this position,” Hibbs said. “Still, our search committee was in agreement that his Northeast Ohio ties – combined with his NCAA Division III experience and reputation as a passionate leader in the national wrestling community – made Andy Vogel a clear choice.”
Over 13 years at Gettysburg, Vogel coached three NCAA All-Americans, ten NCAA qualifiers, eight Centennial Conference champions, 44 conference place winners, 18 regional place winners and 19 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-Americans. Vogel also coached the Centennial Conference Wrestler of the Year in 2009 and 2012, and the Rookie of the Year in 2016. Under Vogel’s leadership, the Bullets finished in the NCAA Top 20 in 2013, as well as Top 25 in the NCAA in Team GPA in 2010, 2013 and 2018. “I am thrilled to begin this journey with Hiram College Athletics,” Vogel said …. story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Hiram-College-names-Andy-Vogel-Director-24-3-2020

Sentes named Campbell head wrestling coach
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – After helping Campbell’s wrestling program to unprecedented heights, Scotti Sentes has been named head coach, announced today by director of athletics Omar Banks. Since arriving at Campbell, Sentes has helped the Camels to three Southern Conference tournament championships, as well as back to back dual titles over the last four seasons, the program’s first NCAA Division I championships. “I am thankful to Omar Banks, Wanda Watkins, and Hannah Bazemore and the entire CU athletic department for affording me this incredible opportunity,” said Sentes. “I would also like to thank Cary Kolat and the CU alumni who encouraged and recommended me for this position. Campbell is a special place and I will do everything I can to continue making this program proud.” “The Campbell community is very pleased to have Coach Sentes as our next head wrestling coach,” Banks said. “As interest began to escalate, we knew we wanted someone who could fit the culture that was developed within the program and continue the upward trajectory that has been established. Having served under one of the best coaches in the sport of wrestling for the last four years, he presented and articulated a vision for the future of the program, which let us know that we had our coach. We are very excited for the future of Campbell wrestling under Coach Sentes’ leadership.” Sentes replaces former head coach Cary Kolat, who took the same position at Navy after six seasons at Campbell. The Ft. Myers, Fla. native has coached 19 total NCAA qualifiers, …. story https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Sentes-named-Campbell-head-wrestling-26-3-2020

Roanoke Tabs Nate Yetzer to Lead Wrestling Program
Salem, Va. – Roanoke College Director of Athletics Scott Allison has announced the hiring of Nate Yetzer to serve as the College’s first Head Wrestling Coach.   Allison announced in January the addition of wrestling as the College’s 22nd NCAA Division III sponsored athletic program.  The Maroons will begin competition in the Fall of 2021.
“We’re fortunate to have Nate Yetzer lead our wrestling program,” said Allison. “His ability to build a program is proven.  The energy he brings to the table is off the charts.  We know he’ll fit in well with his colleagues on our hallway!” Yetzer joined the Ferrum coaching staff in July 2012 as Head Wrestling Coach. In the last eight years at the helm of the new Panther mat program, Yetzer has sent 13 individuals to the NCAA Div. III Wrestling National Championships. Four wrestlers have earned All-America honors under Yetzer, Logan Meister in 2016 and Zach Beckner in 2017, with Beckner being the College’s first-ever NCAA finalist in any sport. Levi Englman and Mario Vasquez became the third and fourth All-Americans in 2019. Yetzer’s 2017 team won the NCAA East Regional and he was named NCAA East Region Coach of the Year.
Yetzer came to Ferrum from Blacksburg, Virginia, where he served six years as an assistant coach for the Virginia Tech wrestling program.  Yetzer worked under Head Coach Kevin Dresser, helping to coordinate daily training sessions and assisting with office administration.  He helped the Hokies to a #11 finish at the 2012 NCAA Division I Tournament.  The Hokies had two All-Americans, six NCAA qualifiers and three ACC champions in 2012.  Yetzer also assisted with recruitment and visitations of potential Virginia Tech student-athletes, fundraising activities, travel coordination and monitoring academic progress of student-athletes.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to start another program here at Roanoke College,” said Yetzer. “It is easy to see why RC is consistently among the top teams in the ODAC across all sports. It is great to see Roanoke is going to be invested in this program with expectations to be successful in the classroom and on the mat.  …. story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Roanoke-Tabs-Nate-Yetzer-to-Lead-26-3-2020

Dan Willis Named New Mount Olive Head Wrestling Coach
MOUNT OLIVE, North Carolina — Dan Willis has been named the new Head Coach of the University of Mount Olive Wrestling team, it was announced by Vice President for Athletics Jeff Eisen. “Dan brings a wealth of coaching experience and is a fixture in North Carolina wrestling, which combined with his energy and passion will help move our program forward,” said Eisen. Willis joins Mount Olive after spending the last 17 years as the founder and head coach of the Port City Pirates Wrestling Organization as well as the last 11 years as the owner and operator of Port City Sports Performance LLC, both located in Wilmington, N.C. While at PCPW Willis helped coached the Pirates to two North Carolina Youth State Championships and one third-place finish. On the individual side, Willis saw over 20 athletes become high-school state champions and over 50 become state-placers. Prior to his time at Port City Willis spent time as the head coach at E.A. Laney High School (2006-09/2014-17) and John T. Hoggard High School (1995-2004). At E.A Laney Willis claimed five Mid-Eastern Conference Championships along with being the NCHSAA 4A State runner-up. Willis coached John T. Hoggard to six Mid-Eastern Conference Championships, a 4A Region championship, and three regional runner-ups.  Academically, Willis’ teams have earned Scholar-Athlete Team awards four times throughout his high school coaching career. Willis wrestled collegiately at UNC Pembroke and was a two-time team captain for the Braves. He was an NCAA Division II All-American for the Braves posting a 102-31 career record at the 142 weight class.  …. story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Dan-Willis-Named-New-Mount-Olive-Head-26-3-2020

Oregon State’s plan for a new wrestling coach — and for a return to national prominence
Kerry Eggers on Sports: Elite committee has about eight candidates, shoots for mid-April hire
Oregon State officials are working behind the scenes to hire a new wrestling coach — one who can bring them back to national prominence. Last week, OSU fired Jim Zalesky, who had been head coach for 14 years. Zalesky’s OSU teams won almost two-thirds of their dual meets (177-75-2), along with seven championships in what passes for Pac-12 wrestling these days. The last title, though, came in 2016. The Beavers placed fourth in the six-team conference this season, behind Arizona State, Stanford and Cal State Bakersfield and ahead of Cal Poly and Arkansas Little Rock, the latter in its inaugural season of college wrestling. Oregon State’s highest finish at the NCAA meet under Zalesky’s watch was eighth in 2013. OSU has placed no better than 20th since then. Zalesky coached 10 All-Americans but no national champions during his time at OSU. The best finish was third by heavyweight Amar Dhesi in 2018. “With the right coach, there’s no reason why they can’t be back in the top 10, with All-Americans and national champions,” said Greg Strobel, a member of the coach selection committee and one of Oregon State’s greatest wrestlers. …. story at https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/456633-372117-oregon-states-plan-for-a-new-wrestling-coach-and-for-a-return-to-national-prominence?mc_cid=f6e5f3ba8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 2, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized