CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Head Wrestling Coach Joe Seay submitted his resignation to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga officials Monday, Interim Athletics Director Matt Pope announced.
The resignation has been accepted, and Seay’s official release date is June 5, 2006, Pope said.
“My wife and I feel that this is the best career move for us at this time,” Seay said. “I am exploring an option that I am very interested in, and it is a job that I will consider very strongly. If it does not work out, we will pick a location, likely in the Midwest or back home on the West Coast, and will settle there.”
Seay was hired as the UTC head coach on May 19, 2005, replacing former Head Coach Terry Brands who left the program after three years to become Resident Coach at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Seay led the Mocs to the 2006 Southern Conference title this past season and was named SoCon Coach of the Year. He guided seven UTC wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, and the Mocs placed 30th overall.
“We appreciate Joe Seay’s service to our wrestling program, the department and the University,” Pope said. “We wish him luck in his future endeavors.”
Pope has named UTC assistant wrestling coach Chris Bono interim head coach. A national search will begin soon for a replacement for Seay, and, Pope said, Bono will have to go through the search process as well should he be interested in pursuing the position.
Bono, a member of Seay’s staff this past season, is an NCAA Champion from Iowa State who competed at the NCAAs four times. He served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for nine years prior to joining the Mocs’ staff.
Wrestling Gear
