What does it take to become one of the winningest college wrestling coaches of all time? A head wrestling coach must have a knack for winning... and the longevity to stick with a sport that can be brutal on coaches as well as wrestlers.
The November 5, 2010 issue of WIN (Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine) featured a chart listing the Top 40 All-Time Most Victorious Wrestling Coaches... and a separate Top 40 All-Time Most Victorious Wrestling Programs. Here are the coaches' standings before the start of the 2010-11 season, as compiled by Martin Fleming*:
(Coach's name, Years, College, Division, Won-Loss-Tie Record, Winning Percentage)
1. Dale Thomas (1957-1990), Oregon State, Div I, 610-168-13, .781
2. Jare Klein (1968-2001), Olivet College (MI), Div III, 569-116-6, .828
3. David Icenhower (1976-present), College of New Jersey, Div III, 516-82-4, .860
4. John G Reese (1953-1995), Wilkes University, Div I/III, 515-171-10, .747
5. Jack Childs (1970-present), Stevens Tech/Drexel, Div I, 505-287-9, .636
6. Harold Nichols (1948-1985), Arkansas State/Iowa State, Div I, 493-90-14, .838
7. Max Servies (1960-2000), Wabash College, Div III, 487-118-8, .801
8. Doug Parker (1955-1990), Springfield (MA), Div III, 485-159-11, .749
9. Pat Pecora (1976-present), Pitt-Johnston, Div II, 474-128-4, .785
10. Milton Martin (1962-1997), Westmar, NAIA, 462-138-12, .765
11. Don Elia (1968-77, 1978-2009), Carson-Newman/Maryville, Div II, 461-274-6, .626
12. Bucky Maughan (1964-present), North Dakota State, Div II/I, 457-153-13, .744
13. Ron Mirkitani (1970-2009), Meramec Community College, NJCAA, 457-171-3, .727
14. John Sacchi (1967-2007), Rutgers, Middlesex, Div I/NJCAA, 447-162-9, .731
15. Bobby Douglas (1973-2006), Iowa State/Santa Barbara/Arizona State, Div I, 440-168-9, .720
16. Bill Racich (1980-present), Ursinus College (PA), Div III, 439-108-7, .759
17. John Johnston (1959-1994), Princeton/Stevens Tech, Div I, 431-209-10, .671
18. Mike Olson (1950-1991), UNC-Pembroke/Upper Iowa, NAIA, 428-96-2, .816
19. TJ Kerr (1972-2010), San Jose State/Cal State Bakersfield, Div I, 421-211-7, .664
20. Ned McGinley (1969-present), King's (PA), Div III, 417-338-1, .552
21. Tom Jamman (1967-2007), Manchester/Northwestern/Taylor, Div I/NAIA, 415-149-1, .735
22. Phil Grebinar (1972-2005), Worcester Polytechnic, Div III, 414-161-6, .718
23. Bob Skelton (1974-2004), Western New England, Div III, 402-256-7, .610
24. Wally Johnson (1949-1986), Minnesota/South Dakota State/Luther, Div I, 400-223-11, .640
25. Robert Marshall (1964-1971, 1974-2002), Delaware Valley/Dickinson, Div III, 396-104-14, .784
26. Bob Guzzo (1969-1974, 1975-2004), North Carolina State/Canton Jr College (NY), Div I, 393-202-7, .659
27. Paul Mance (1972-2009), Appalachian St/Herkimer College, Div I, 387-240-10, .615
28. Bill Lam (1973-2003), North Carolina, Div I, 378-131-4, .741
29. Budd Whitehill (1956-1993), Lycoming, Div III, 376-173-5, .683
30. Al Baxter (1978-2004), Buena Vista, Div III, 376-119-5, .757
31. Eric Knuutila (1973-present), Niagara City Com College, NJCAA, 370-197-8, .650
32. Lonnie Timmerman (1965-1993), Drake, Div I, 364-186-10, .659
33. Gary Taylor (1978-present), Rider, Div I, 361-209-4, .632
34. Dave Amato (1975-1981, 1984-2010), Brown/Potsdamm State, Div I, 361-264-6, .577
35. J Robinson (1986-present), Minnesota, Div I, 359-123-3, .743
36. Dan Gable (1976-1997), Iowa, Div I, 355-21-5, .938
37. Vaughn Hitchcock (1963-1985), Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Div II, 353-110-4, .760
38. Russ Hellickson (1981-2006), Ohio State/Wisconsin, Div I, 350-197-8, .638
39. Jim Miller (1991-present), Wartburg, Div III, 339-32-4, .909
40. Ron Gaffner (1978-2001, 2008-2010), Muskegeon Community College, NJCAA, 332-85-3, .794
* Got an update? Contact Martin Fleming at All-Time College Coaching Wins Project website
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Resources
WIN (Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine): Official website
TheMat.com: College wrestling on TV (2010-11 season schedule)
College Wrestling 101: Links to College Wrestling Examiner articles answering basic questions about wrestling, including rules, scoring, uniforms, more
Comments
Dale Thomas was, of course, a part of the legendary Cornell College 1947. His photo on the wall of the Cornell ahrletic Hall of Fame is a classic post-war wrestler's pose.
I was lucky enough to meet Dave Icenhower and Ned McGinley in Cedar Rapids last spring.
Jim, Thanks for your response. For those who want to know more about Dale Thomas as a Cornell College wrestler, check out Arno Niemand's soon-to-be-released book "Dream Team" about the 1947 Cornell team that won the 1947 NCAA team title. It's an incredible read!
Neat that you met Icenhower and McGinley. I interviewed Coach Icenhower on the phone early in my days at InterMat, and found him to be a very gracious individual. -- Mark
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