Wrestling’s Reina departs after 19 years
By fred david
Penn head wrestling coach Roger Reina announced his resignation yesterday after 19 years at the helm of the squad. During that time, Reina’s team amassed a 205-106-6 record, making him the winningest wrestling coach in Penn history.
Reina’s tenure featured a stretch of seven consecutive Ivy League titles from 1996 to 2002. Since 1993, Reina’s squad has featured 17 All-Americans. In 2000, Reina coached Brett Matter to a national championship at 157 pounds and the team to a ninth-place finish at the NCAA tournament. That same year, Wharton alumnus Brandon Slay — who was coached by Reina while at Penn — won a gold medal in wrestling at the Sydney Olympics.
When asked what prompted his decision to step down, Reina, a father of two, said, “I felt it was really important to dedicate more time to my children. It was a difficult decision. I know it’s the right decision for me and my kids right now.”
Reina was reluctant to speculate on who his possible successor could be.
“That’s really up to the athletic director, Steve Bilsky, and [Associate Athletic Director] Earl Cleghorn. I think they’re going to conduct a strong search, and I’ve got every confidence in their process.”
Reina refused to comment on whether he believed there would be a preference to select a coach from within the Penn wrestling program.
Reina will remain at Penn, moving to the Medical School’s Office of Program Development where he will serve as a senior major gifts officer. Reina explained the reasoning behind his decision to continue working at Penn.
“I’ve been at the University for 21 years as an employee and a student-athlete, so it’s a very strong community that I’m going to be very pleased to continue to contribute to.
“It’s also an opportunity for me to say thanks to so many Penn alumni and faculty and staff. My life has been so tremendously enriched by all the experiences that I’ve had coaching at Penn, and I look forward to continuing my involvement with the program now as an alumnus.”
Wrestling Gear
