Patrick McNamara, who has been connected to several top NCAA Division I programs, has been named the new head coach for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wrestling.
McNamara joins a wrestling program about to take the next step. SIUE will be in its final year of NCAA Division II wrestling in the 2007-08 season and will begin competing at the NCAA Division I level in the 2008-09 season.
“I am honored and excited to be the next head coach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. This program has a tremendous amount of support from the community and alumni. SIUE has a tradition of outstanding wrestling, and I look forward to continuing the tradition as we make the transition to Division I, “said McNamara.
The new Cougar head coach has been at the University of Missouri since 2005. He was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Missouri, which placed third at the 2007 NCAA Division I Championships. McNamara held a similar position at the University of Virginia from 2003-05.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Patrick to the athletics program at SIUE. He has displayed a high level of proficiency in his recruiting and coaching skills. I believe he is a good fit for what the program hopes to accomplish over the next several years, “said Dr. Brad Hewitt, SIUE Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.
A former three-time state high school champion in Minnesota, McNamara took his wrestling talents to Michigan State University. A four-time NCAA qualifier and a three-time NCAA Division I All-American, McNamara also was a Big Ten champion.
He graduated from Michigan State in 2001 with a bachelor’s in kinesiology and then moved to Central Michigan University, where he served as a volunteer assistant coach and later as a graduate assistant for the wrestling program while completing a master’s in Athletic Administration in 2003.
After completing his master’s, McNamara moved on to Virginia, helping elevate the program into top 20 status. He helped the Cavaliers to a 16th place finish and two All-Americans during his two seasons.
In 2005, he joined Missouri’s wrestling program and helped Coach Brian Smith build one of the nation’s top lineups. He helped recruit the fourth best recruiting class in the country in 2007.
He and his wife, Andrea, will relocate to the area.
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