By Kevin Schlosser
The Ohio State University Wrestling Program is a national power. Proof lies in the domino effect that was set off by Russ Hellickson’s early retirement. That event changed the landscape of college wrestling.
The college wrestling community recognized Ohio State as a sleeping giant and no one wanted to lose their coach. Legends retired to make way for new blood, coaches were fired so schools could hire their first choice; and other coaches saw their contracts extended or their programs resources improved to make it harder to leave.
Ohio State’s search to find the best coaching candidate was exhaustive and competitive as the list of applicants was long and accomplished. In the end, Tom Ryan emerged as the best man for the job and was selected as the new Head Wrestling Coach.
In order to take Ohio State wrestling to the next level, Gene Smith and Tom Ryan worked together to assemble one of the best coaching staffs in America. Lou Rosselli was brought in to work with the lightweights. As a former Olympian, respected college assistant and current US World Team coach, Rosselli’s hire helped to retain the services of Tommy Rowlands and recruit Joe Heskett. Rowlands and Heskett are both Ohio natives, four time All Americans, and were headed to the Olympic Training Facility if not for the Ryan hire. Rowlands will work with the upper weights, while Heskett will work with the middle weights. Jim Humphrey, an OSU alumnus, was invited to remain on the staff and lead Thee Buckeye Wrestling Club. Humphrey’s offers a wealth of knowledge gathered from years of international wrestling experience as a competitor and coach. Rounding out the staff is Ross Thatcher, a former all American and Ohio native, as the Director of Wrestling Operations. While championships are not built on credentials alone, you would be hard pressed to find a better collection of coaching talent, experience, diversity and competitiveness than the current Ohio State coaching staff.
In a relatively short amount of time, Ryan has given the Ohio State Wrestling Program an entirely new look, attitude and focus. With a fully funded program, a sanctioned Olympic Training Facility, an Olympic Caliber coaching staff, and Thee Buckeye Wrestling Club, the foundation for greatness has been laid.
Simply stated, the goal is “to build a team that is capable of being a perennial power in the Big Ten as well as contending for a National Championship year in and year out, “ said Head Coach Tom Ryan. Bold words from the new coach, but with resources and a team that believes; nothing is impossible. Thatcher sums it up best, “Tom Ryan made personal sacrifices to come to Ohio State and put this staff together. He has a clear vision and a plan to achieve it. He is a master motivator that develops the best in the individual to make the best team possible.”
Champions are not born over night. The next step in Tom Ryan’s master plan is to open all channels of communication with the Ohio High School wrestling community. The staff has quickly worked to set up regional meet and greets with the Ohio high school wrestling community. In the networking process, the staff will be able to update and expand their recruiting database. With two-thirds of the staff from Ohio, they recognize the importance of keeping the best talent at home. To further reach out to community, Russ Hellickson and Tom Ryan will be working the Ohio State Summer Wrestling Camps together. Additionally, Ohio State has set up a home match against Northwestern to be hosted by perennial power, Lakewood St. Edwards on February 4, 2007. (If Tom Ryan and company can erect a Tressel-like fence around the state, the sky is the limit when it comes to Ohio State wrestling.)
Wrestling season is still six months away but the future is now. While Russ Hellickson was the most successful coach in Ohio State wrestling history, Tom Ryan and company are prepared to take this team to unprecedented levels in the future. With a young and talented team, Coach Humphreys believes, “this team has the core to contend for a national title within the next four years, but the goal for now is to win.”
Success breeds success and the future for Ohio State wrestling is bright. There is a realistically opportunity for a dramatic turnaround. Last season ten out of eleven teams in the conference were ranked, so to finish in the top half of the Big Ten is both a goal and an accomplishment. Every wrestler, coach and fan has high expectations for the Ohio State Wrestling Program to which Rowland’s responds, “They are ready for us to be NCCA Champions and while they expect it, we believe it”.
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