Daniel Elliott, graduate and assistant wrestling coach at Gardner-Webb University, has been promoted to the associate head coach for the Bulldogs.
It is the second coaching change in the North Carolina-based school's wrestling program in the past two weeks. On August 24, Gardner-Webb announced that former Central Michigan wrestler Conor Beebe had joined the wrestling program as a graduate assistant.
"Naming Daniel associate head coach is a natural progression of his involvement in the Gardner-Webb University wrestling program," said Chuck Burch, Vice President for Athletics. "First, as a student-athlete where he was a national qualifier, and most recently as an assistant coach, Daniel has worked tirelessly to improve his own skills and the abilities of the student-athletes on our wrestling team," stated "As associate head coach, along with our head coach, Dick Wince, and graduate assistant Conor Beebe, I am confident that Daniel's number one goal will be the continued development of the wrestling program."
"This is a natural step in Daniel's progression toward being a great college head coach," commented Coach Wince. "His work ethic and dedication are exceptional."
Elliott begins his fifth season with the Gardner-Webb program, having served the last three seasons as an assistant coach. Elliott served as a graduate assistant for his first two years on the Bulldog wrestling staff following a stellar collegiate career for GWU.
During his career for the Runnin' Bulldogs, Elliott was a two-time NCAA qualifier. He was also a two-time regional champion at 149 pounds. In his last regional meet, Elliott was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler. He finished the regular season with a record of 39-2 during his senior campaign and was ranked 10th in the nation in the final standings. Ellliott holds the school record for career wins, single-season wins in addition to consecutive wins. He also led the team in each of his last three seasons in takedowns.
Since moving over to the bench as a coach, Elliott has seen at least one GWU wrestler make it to the NCAA Championships in each of the last four years, including Dustin Porter who has reached the NCAA Championships in each of the last four years. Fellow GWU grappler Rob Tate reached the Championships in 2006-07, earning the Runnin' Bulldogs lone victory at the national event.
Elliott graduated in May 2006 with a double major in history and communications. Elliott then went on to earn his masters in sports sciences and pedagogy from Gardner-Webb in the summer of 2008.
Thanks to InterMat for alerting us to this story.
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Resources
Gardner-Webb wrestling: Elliott promoted to associate head coach
College Wrestling Examiner, August 24: Central Michigan mat standout Conor Beebe joins Gardner-Webb coaching staff
College Wrestling 101: Links to articles answering basic questions about wrestling, including rules, scoring, uniforms, more
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