DeGain rounds out UVa wrestling staff for 2005-06 season
From UVA Sports Information
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia head wrestling coach Lenny Bernstein has announced the addition of Pat DeGain to the UVa wrestling coaching staff. DeGain, a 2005 graduate of Indiana University, was named an assistant wrestling coach at Virginia and will serve as Bernstein’s second assistant. He joins current assistant wrestling coach Scott Moore on the UVa coaching staff and replaces former Virginia assistant coach Pat McNamara.
“I feel very strongly that Pat is going to be an outstanding addition to our coaching staff, “said Bernstein. “Pat’s father was an exceptional high school coach in Michigan and I believe that he rubbed off a lot on his son. Pat’s credibility is high after placing third at NCAA’s last season at heavyweight and placing several times in the Big 10 Tournament. The fact that he wrestled most of his college career at 197-lbs before moving to heavyweight gives him a nice perspective on how to wrestle successfully at both of those weights. We are really looking forward to his career here. ”
DeGain joins the Cavalier coaching staff with a wealth of collegiate wrestling experience after enjoying a stellar wrestling career at Indiana. He turned in an overall record of 115-32 in four years of action as a Hoosier and capped of his career by placing third at Nationals to become an All-American.
“I’m very excited about being here at Virginia, “said DeGain. “I believe this wrestling program can really go places with this coaching staff and I’m excited to join (UVa coaches) Lenny Bernstein and Scott Moore. I had some very good coaches at Indiana when I wrestled there and I learned a lot from that staff. I also wrestled at two different weight classes (heavyweight and 197-pounds) at IU which also helped give me a different outlook on wrestling and all the things involved with each individual. I hope I can translate those experiences here at Virginia. I’ve always wanted to coach college wrestling, and this is a great opportunity at a great school. ”
Last season (2004-05) as a senior at Indiana, DeGain finished the year 35-6 overall and placed third at the NCAA Championships to seal an All-American season. He ended his career as a Hoosier ranked fifth on Indiana’s all-time career wins list with 115 and became the third IU wrestler in school history to capture a Midlands title. He also took second in the Big Ten Championship in 2004-05.
In 2003-04 as a junior, DeGain finished 28-8 on the season. His 28 victories were good for fourth on the team as he also went 17-3 in dual action that year. Of his 28 wins, nine victories were by fall, six were major decisions and one win was by technical fall. He turned in a first place showing at the Northern Iowa Open and also qualified for the NCAA Championships after a third place finish at the Big Ten Championships. DeGain posted a season best 12-match win streak from November 29th – January 3rd.
In 2002-03 as a sophomore, DeGain opened the season with an individual title at the Missouri Open in the 197-pound weight class. He followed that with a third place finish at the Northern Iowa Open, beginning an 18-match undefeated streak. For the season, DeGain compiled an overall record of 29-7 on the year with a 20-4 dual meet record. He finished the season among the top wrestlers in the nation in wins and pins and was ranked as high as fifth in the nation during the season.
In 2001-02 as a freshman, DeGain finished the year with a 23-11 record and a 6-2 mark in the Big Ten. He came up just short of All-American status at the NCAA Championship after posting a 3-2 record at Nationals. DeGain was ranked 20th by the NWCA and 19th by W.I.N. Magazine and finished second on the team with eight pins on the year. DeGain red-shirted the 2000-01 season.
As a high school prep, DeGain was a two-time state champion and won the last 99 matches of his high school career. The Clarkston, Mich. native finished his high school career ranked No. 4 in the NHSCA/Asics Senior rankings. He placed fifth at the 1997 Cadet Freestyle National Championships and took fifth at the 1998 Cadet Greco-Roman National Championships. WrestlingUSA.com ranked DeGain as the No. 4 wrestler in the nation at his weight.
Pat DeGain career record at Indiana:
Year Record
00-01 red-shirted
01-02 23-11
02-03 29-7
03-04 28-8
04-05 35-6
Career 115-32
Wrestling Gear
