FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason’s Brian Shaffer announced his resignation as head coach of the Patriot wrestling team effective Friday, July 29. Shaffer, a two-time Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year, led George Mason to three conference titles in 10 seasons and coached more than 25 NCAA qualifiers.
“This has been one of the toughest decisions of my life, but I feel that I am at a stage where I need to spend more time with my family without sacrificing the guys and the program, “expressed Shaffer. “I want to thank George Mason University for the opportunity to coach here and I wish nothing but the best for the program.”
“I’d like to thank Brian for the dedication and hard work he has given to the George Mason wrestling program, “stated Assistant Vice-President/Director of Athletics Tom O’Connor. “He not only helped produce fine young athletes, but he also helped groom fine young men. The George Mason family wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.”
In 2000-01, only four seasons ago, Shaffer led a young squad to an 8-4 overall record, and captured its fifth conference title in 10 years at the CAA Championships. Shaffer was named conference Coach of the Year for the second time and joined sophomore Donnie DeFilippis (Wrestler of the Year) and freshman Tony Howard (Rookie of the Year) in sweeping the conference postseason awards.
Shaffer compiled a dual-meet record of 70-59 in his 10 seasons with the Patriots. In his first year back in Fairfax (he had been an assistant for two seasons under former Patriot mentor Mike Moyer) in 1995-96, Shaffer led George Mason to a 9-4 record and earned his first CAA Coach of the Year honor, and he led the Patriots to another conference title in 1996-97 as they posted a 12-3 mark.
Shaffer, 37, came to George Mason after rebuilding the program at American University in three seasons from 1992-95. Under his leadership, the program at American rose from the bottom of the CAA to become a consistent challenger for the conference title. The Eagles posted their first winning dual-meet season in 12 years in 1992-93 with an 11-6 record and were 26-20-1 overall during his tenure. His overall record as a head coach was 96-79-1.
In 13 years as a head coach, Shaffer produced three wrestlers who claimed the Outstanding Wrestler award at the CAA Championships and three others who were named CAA Rookie of the Year.
Shaffer turned out several national qualifiers at George Mason. Seventeen moved on by virtue of winning a CAA individual championship – including 2004 149-pound champion Adrian Austin – three automatically advanced by placing second, and the other nine received “wild card “berths into the tournament.
Shaffer also taught in the College of Health, Fitness and Recreation Resources (physical education) at George Mason University.
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