Takedown Report

College Coaches’ News # 1 – 2021

TDR Editor’s Notes ; While looking over the articles about newprograms and coaching taking on new opportunities to lead college wrestlers. We encourage dedicated college wrestling fans to join the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) to support their efforts in promoting the growth in college programs. Keep wrestling onward and upward! E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2936 (6/24/21)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – FRALEY NAMED NEW WILLIAMS BAPTIST WRESTLING COACH

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – The Williams Baptist University athletics department announces the hiring of Tyler Fraley as the new head coach of its wrestling program. Fraley is the third head coach in program history and inherits a program that sent nine wrestlers to nationals and produced one All-American last year.  “Coach Fraley has developed some very positive relationships during his time at WBU. He is one of the programs two National Champions and has served diligently as our assistant coach this past season. He has earned the opportunity to be the next head coach and I am excited to watch him provide leadership for the program this upcoming year,” Williams Baptist Athletics Director Jeff Rider noted about his newest hire.  Fraley takes over a program that has been very successful in its seven year history. It has produced two individual national champions and 11 All-Americans, … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/FRALEY-NAMED-NEW-WILLIAMS-BAPTIST-16-6-2021

2 } – Bebeto Yewah takes on leadership of Davenport University’s wrestling programs

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport University’s Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Paul Lowden announced today a shift of leadership for the Women and Men’s Wrestling programs with the resignation of Jamie Boyd. Boyd spent seven years at the helm of the men’s wrestling program and was the only head coach in program history. He then took over responsibilities for the women’s wrestling program which began during the 2020-21 campaign. Current assistant coach Bebeto Yewah will now take over head coaching duties for both programs effective immediately.

Yewah came to Davenport as a volunteer assistant coach in the fall of 2018 and then transitioned into an assistant coach role in July 2019. He has helped guide the program into the NCAA Division II ranks and the men’s program joined the Great Lakes Valley Conference in the 2020-21 season competing in one of the best conferences in the nation. The Lansing native wrestled collegiately at … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Bebeto-Yewah-takes-on-leadership-of-15-6-2021

3 } – COREY RUFF TABBED AS UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS MEN’S WRESTLING COACH

Williamsburg, KY – University of the Cumberlands Athletic Director Chris Kraftick has announced that Corey Ruff has been named the new Patriots Men’s Wrestling Head Coach Monday afternoon.  Ruff becomes the sixth coach to lead the program, replacing Jordan Countryman, who stepped down earlier this summer. “We are thrilled to have Coach Ruff take the helm of our men’s wrestling program,” said Kraftick. “Corey brings a wealth of knowledge of wrestling both at the MSC and NAIA levels as well as a history of success to Williamsburg.  We are excited to about the future and direction of the men’s wrestling program.”
Ruff comes to UC after spending 12 years on the sidelines at MSC rival Lindsey Wilson College. Ruff has led the Blue Raiders program since its inception in the 2009-2010 season and has compiled a 110-59 overall record, including a 46-12 mark in conference duals.  He has led the Blue Raiders to eight top-five finishes at the NAIA National Championship. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/COREY-RUFF-TABBED-AS-UNIVERSITY-OF-THE-14-6-2021

4 } – Chadron State College Adds Women’s Wrestling

CHADRON, Neb. — June 17, 2021 — Following approval from the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees, Chadron State College has officially added women’s wrestling to its athletics’ program. With women’s wrestling, the first such collegiate program in Nebraska, CSC will sponsor 14 sports. Women’s wrestling, a winter sport, will begin competition in 2021. A search for a head coach is underway. “Chadron State College is proud to add women’s wrestling,” said CSC President Dr. Randy Rhine. “The addition of this program supports CSC’s continued movement toward equity on campus with the addition of another women’s sport.”
CSC will join approximately 28 other NCAA institutions that sponsored the sport in 2020-21. Deemed an Emerging Sport in all three NCAA divisions, women’s wrestling is expected to appear at as many as 44 NCAA schools this fall. Under the current guidelines for the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women Program, a sport may establish a National Collegiate Championship or a divisional championship if at least 40 NCAA institutions sponsor the sport at the varsity level. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Chadron-State-College-Adds-Women-s-17-6-2021

5 } – JAMEEL BRYANT NAMED LINDSEY WILSON WRESTLING HEAD COACH

COLUMBIA, Ky. – Jameel Bryant has been named Lindsey Wilson College’s wrestling head coach, Lindsey Wilson Athletics Director Willis Pooler announced on Monday. “It’s an honor to be back home and have the opportunity to work for an institution with such a winning tradition,” Bryant said. “I’m excited that Lindsey Wilson is my first head coaching job. It feels like yesterday I was competing here for a national title and now I get to help others strive for that same goal. “I had the best experience here as a student-athlete,” Bryant added. “One of my top goals is to make sure our student-athletes have that same fulfilling experience, in the classroom and on the mat. I’m eager to get the ball rolling and build on the great successes we have here at Lindsey Wilson College. Bryant becomes the second coach in the program’s history. He replaces Corey Ruff who resigned in early June after starting the program in 2011. “The opportunity to hire Jameel was one I couldn’t pass on. His passion for wrestling and Lindsey Wilson College was evident during our discussions and his knowledge of the sport, our mission, and his clear emphasis on focusing on the student-athlete experience were important aspects of this decision.” Pooler said. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/JAMEEL-BRYANT-NAMED-LINDSEY-WILSON-21-6-2021

6 } – Elmira College Names Cody Griswold Head Men’s Wrestling Coach

ELMIRA, N.Y. — Interim Director of Athletics Rhonda Faunce announced today that Elmira College’s head women’s wrestling coach, Cody Griswold, has assumed head coaching duties for the men’s wrestling program heading into the 2021-22 season. Although the inaugural wrestling seasons were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Soaring Eagles have high expectations for their debut on the mat this winter under Griswold’s watch. Since being announced as the first-ever head women’s wrestling coach in March of 2020, Griswold has been busy building the foundation for the first four-year institution to offer women’s wrestling in the state of New York. The Class of 2025 is a large one, featuring nearly a dozen grapplers from all corners of the country. The incoming class includes recruits from as far as Texas and Washington, and as close as Section II’s South Glens Falls High School and Section V’s Letchworth High School. “Cody is an extremely motivated, high-energy guy,” Faunce said. “I have no doubt he will have great success with both programs. He’s a great recruiter that will build strong bonds with our student-athletes, and the wrestlers will love competing for him.” … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Elmira-College-Names-Cody-Griswold-Head-11-6-2021

7 } – MIDLAND UNIVERSITY NAMES DAVIAIRE DICKERSON NEW MEN’S WRESTLING COACH

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University has announced Daviaire Dickerson as the institution’s new men’s wrestling head coach. Dickerson moves into the leadership role of the men’s program after spending the past two years as an assistant for the men and one year leading the women’s program. Championships, Midland placed 10th with one wrestler winning their division. Originally from Layton, Utah, Coach Dickerson was a dual-sport collegiate athlete playing football and wrestling. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Arizona Christian University and just completed his M.B.A. from Midland University in 2021. “We are very excited to have Daviaire lead our men’s wrestling program,” … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/MIDLAND-UNIVERSITY-NAMES-DAVIAIRE-11-6-2021

8 } – Jake Short named Augsburg women’s wrestling coach

MINNEAPOLIS — Jake Short, a University of Minnesota alumnus who has served as a coach for an elite wrestling school for the past three years, will be the next head coach of the Augsburg University women’s wrestling team, the university has announced.
Since 2018, Short has served as a coach at the Pinnacle School of Wrestling, an elite training program based in the Twin Cities. He has served as both a girls’ and boys’ wrestling coach at Pinnacle, a program co-owned by legendary wrestlers Jared Lawrence and Brandon Paulson.
In January 2021, Short was named as the head coach for the Minnesota/USA Wrestling women’s state team, leading its practices and training sessions for tournaments. “I am both honored and grateful for this opportunity,” Short said. “Augsburg University is well known for its successful reputation in both academics and athletics. I’m thankful to be a part of the Auggie community, and ready to pursue excellence on and off the mat.”
A four-year starter and two-year captain as a middleweight at the University of Minnesota, Short compiled a 99-56 record with the Gophers, with 16 pins,  … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Jake-Short-named-Augsburg-women-s-4-6-2021

9} – ARIZONA CHRISTIAN WELCOMES MICHAEL BUTTERFIELD AS NEW HEAD COACH

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Michael Butterfield has been selected as the second head coach in the history of the ACU wrestling program. His tenure began earlier today, and he is already looking forward to leading the Firestorm wrestling program saying, “I’d like to thank Arizona Christian University for this opportunity.  I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to coach, and to build a culture of hard work and dedication.” An Illinois native, Butterfield’s coaching career began unexpectedly as a student-athlete at the University of Dubuque, an NCAA Division III institution in Dubuque, Iowa.  After sustaining a series of shoulder injuries after his first season of wrestling for the Spartans, the 149-pound class wrestler decided to step away from the mat as a grappler, but returned in a new role – as a coach. That first opportunity to coach was given to Butterfield by current Spartan’s Head Coach Jon McGovern, who has led the UD wrestling program since 2002.  McGovern saw promise in his first-year wrestler and promoted Butterfield to the position of Student Assistant Wrestling Coach. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/ARIZONA-CHRISTIAN-WELCOMES-MICHAEL-4-6-2021

10 } – Ryan Riggs Named Head Wrestling Coach at Mount Union

Ryan Riggs has been named the head wrestling coach at the University of Mount Union. Riggs, a native of Perry Township, Ohio, comes to Mount Union from Ferrum (Va.) College where he started in 2016 as an assistant coach, then promoted to associate head coach in 2018 before being named head coach in March of 2020. “Ryan’s experiences in coaching and his reputation in wrestling not only locally but throughout NCAA Division III was what separated him among our pool of applicants,” stated Mike Parnell, interim director of athletics. “All of us at Mount Union look forward to the future of our wrestling program under his leadership.”

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return home to Stark County, Ohio as the University of Mount Union head wrestling coach,” commented Riggs. “I would like to thank Dr. Jeffrey Bresse, Mike Parnell, Don Montgomery and everyone on the search committee for believing in my ability to lead the program.  I am ready to get to work and start building for the future.” In his time at Ferrum, he handled day-to-day operations of the program, including recruiting, fundraising, practice development and coordinating Ferrum men’s wrestling social media presence. He was instrumental in helping Ferrum host the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Ryan-Riggs-Named-Head-Wrestling-Coach-7-6-2021

11 } – Logan Meister Named Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at Ferrum

FERRUM, Virginia — Director of Athletics John Sutyak has announced that Logan Meister ’17 has been promoted to Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at Ferrum College. Meister assumes control of the Panther men’s wrestling program following the departure of Ryan Riggs, who accepted the head wrestling coach position at the University of Mount Union.Meister wrestled four years for the Panthers under Head Coach Nate Yetzer and was part of the inaugural graduating class of Ferrum men’s wrestling. He was a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-America in 2016 and 2017 and graduated from Ferrum with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy in 2017.

Upon graduation, Meister served as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2017-18 season before enrolling in graduate school at McDaniel College, where he served as a graduate assistant wrestling coach during the 2018-19 school year. He earned his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from McDaniel in 2020. Meister returned to Ferrum in 2019-20 as a part-time assistant coach. He was promoted into the full-time assistant coaching spot the following year. “I am very excited to welcome Logan Meister as the new head coach of Ferrum College men’s wrestling,” said Sutyak. “Ferrum became a national program in a relatively short period of time since its inception and Logan was a part of that from day 1. His experience in recruiting, … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Logan-Meister-Named-Head-Men-s-9-6-2021

12 } – New England College Announces Addition of Women’s Wrestling

HENNIKER, N.H. – New England College Athletic Director, Dave DeCew, is pleased to announce the addition of women’s wrestling as a varsity sport for the 2022-23 season. “We see this as a great opportunity to grow our department by offering Women’s Wrestling as our next varsity sport,” stated DeCew. “Coach Powell is prepared to take on this next challenge and bring us forward.  We know the young women in our program will receive great mentorship and coaching, but also will add to our community as a whole.”
Women’s wrestling is currently an emerging sport in the NCAA, as there are 22 current Division III programs, and New England College will be the first in New England to sponsor it as a varsity sport. Current Wrestling Head Coach Robert Watson-Powell will lead the recruitment efforts during the 2021-22 academic year, while there is a national search for a Women’s Head Coach that will begin in the Spring of 2022.
With the addition of women’s wrestling, NEC will boast 20 varsity sports in competition in 2022-23. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/New-England-College-Announces-Addition-24-6-2021

June 24, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized