Takedown Report

More College Coaches’ Changes

RUDIS Wrestling Podcast #139: Campbell Wrestling Head Coach Scotti Sentes
On this special edition of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast, Matt Dernlan is joined by new Campbell wrestling head coach Scotti Sentes. Sentes, a two-time NCAA All-American for Central Michigan University, served as head assistant coach at Cal Poly before spending five seasons at Campbell under then head coach Cary Kolat. Together, they brought the Campbell program back from the ashes, transforming the SoCon team into a regional powerhouse. Dernlan and Sentes discuss the transition from head assistant to head coach, how Sentes has been leading his team virtually and what the future looks like for the Camels. …. story at https://therudis.com/rudis-wrestling-podcast-139-campbell-wrestling-head-coach-scotti-sentes/?mc_cid=c504aeb86a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

PLETCHER JOINS WRESTLING STAFF AS VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT
PITTSBURGH – University of Pittsburgh head wrestling coach Keith Gavin announced the addition of two-time All-American Luke Pletcher to the staff as the volunteer assistant coach.
 “We couldn’t be more excited about Luke joining our staff,” Gavin said. “He is obviously a very skilled and accomplished wrestler, but on top of that, I have always respected him for his approach to the sport, the way he competes and his character. Luke is from Western Pennsylvania and is a great overall fit for us. He will have an immediate impact here.”
 Pletcher will join the staff following his graduation from the Ohio State University this spring.  
“I’m really excited to join the team and start working with the guys,” Pletcher said. “Getting a chance to come back home to chase my Olympic dreams and help the guys on the team attain their goals was something that I couldn’t pass up.”  
A native of Latrobe, Pa., Pletcher spent four seasons as a Buckeye, reaching All-American status in 2018 and 2019 and was a four-time NCAA qualifier. The 141-pounder earned his first Big Ten title this season after reaching the finals as a sophomore and junior.
 Pletcher was hoping to earn All-America status one last time this season, as he would’ve been the No. 1 seed at 141 pounds at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. He finished his senior campaign with a 26-1 record and leaves Ohio State with a 108-21 career record. …. rest of story at https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2020/4/8/pletcher-joins-wrestling-staff-as-volunteer-assistant.aspx?mc_cid=8b4f87fbcb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Catching Up With Head Wrestling Coach Cary Kolat
Navy host Breanna Sorensen interviews Coach Kolat on his reaction to becoming Navy wrestling’s new head coach, his own wrestling journey, and more!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nZRayb7E0A
Story or release at https://navysports.com/news/2020/4/7/catching-up-with-head-wrestling-coach-cary-kolat.aspx?mc_cid=9b0303e966&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

Four Time All-American and Olympian Frank Molinaro Set to Join ASU Wrestling Staff
TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State head wrestling coach Zeke Jones announced the addition of former four-time All-American and 2016 Olympian Frank Molinaro to the coaching staff on Thursday. 
 “Frank Molinaro is an outstanding addition to our staff and will now leave his mark by adding to the history and tradition of Sun Devil Wrestling,” Head coach Zeke Jones said. “As an NCAA, Pan Am, and World Cup Champion, and one who also represented his country on the 2016 US Olympic team – he has competed at the highest level and will share those experiences. He also has a considerable track record as an assistant coach. We look forward to watching him guide our team.”
 Most recently, Molinaro trained with Oklahoma RTC to prepare for a chance at making it back on Team USA’s roster for the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo before the Olympic Committee announced postponement of the games to 2021. Now, he hangs up his wrestling shoes and will make his way back into coaching with the Sun Devils after previously working as an assistant coach with Virginia Tech in 2017-2018. 
 “I am excited to work with Zeke (Jones) and coach (Lee) Pritts,” Coach Frank Molinaro said. “They have a ton of experience and they have a great pedigree of success. I’m joining a staff with two really good coaches and also the opportunity to be able to win an NCAA Championship. Arizona State’s trajectory has gone up every single year and I feel like I can bring a lot of enthusiasm, energy, experience, and a positive impact as soon as possible to this team.” 
 During his time in Blacksburg, he played a key role in the development of four individual ACC champions while also helping guide the Hokies to their second consecutive ACC title …. story at https://thesundevils.com/news/2020/4/9/four-time-all-american-and-olympian-frank-molinaro-set-to-join-asu-wrestling-staff.aspx?mc_cid=e9d5e5bec8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

‘Daddy day care’: IU wrestling head coach learns to handle life away from sports
Angel Escobedo has a new job now. One that doesn’t require countless hours in a wrestling room dripping in sweat. Instead, he coordinates a small but daunting program he dubbed “Daddy day care.” The IU wrestling season is over. The schools are closed, and the YMCA’s are deserted. That means the head coach is home with his kids: Malachi, 4, Saniyah, 3, and Zoe, 1.  He picks up assignments from pre-school. He colors pictures of the Little Mermaid. He helps them learn to count. Malachi is up to 30 and Saniyah has reached 15. They’ve been revisiting the ABC’s.  He’s played a lot of Bad Guy. Malachi and Saniyah dress up in their new Power Ranger costumes and Escobedo, 33, and his kids go tearing around the house as he pretends to take away their superpowers. Malachi and Saniyah finally catch their enemy and send him to jail — a corner in the house. 
He is a four-time All-American, three-time Big Ten champion and NCAA national champion. When he is in jail, his kids beat him up.  His wife Pauli, who’s swamped with work at home, yells at the misfits to calm down. Sometimes Escobedo thinks being at home is more exhausting than running a collegiate program. Nothing has been broken yet. But there’s still time. On the night of March 23 in the Escobedo household, the coach couldn’t hold back anymore. Malachi climbed onto Escobedo’s lap and caught him staring at his screen watching wrestling. …. story at https://www.idsnews.com/article/2020/03/daddy-day-care-iu-wrestling-head-coach-learns-to-handle-life-away-from-sports-power-rangers-angel-escobedo?mc_cid=1270ffe756&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 14, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized