Wrestling coach Wells still hits the mat
Wrestling coach Joe Wells has mixed work and play during his 13 years at OSU
By Sean McLean
The Daily Barometer
He’s louder than anyone at the wrestling matches in Gill Coliseum. He’s more passionate about the sport than most people you’ll ever meet, and he’s tougher than most men his age.
All those traits have made Joe Wells a complete head coach and a perfect fit for the Oregon State wrestling program.
In his 13th year as head coach, Wells has solidified the program, which is currently third all-time in Division I in dual wins.
He has guided the Beavers to a fourth place or higher in 10 of his first 12 seasons, including a Pacific-10 title in 1994.
Nationally, OSU finished second in 1995 and placed in the top 10 three other times under Wells.
Ever since he arrived, Wells has wanted to accomplish the same thing year-in and year-out.
“Everybody, realistically wants to win the conference and place in the national tournament or win the national tournament, “Wells said.
In 1992, Wells’ predecessor and good friend Mark Johnson left for Illinois after just two seasons as OSU’s head coach.
With a hot coaching job open, Johnson put in a good word for Wells, who was a longtime assistant at Iowa and Michigan.
“When I talked to Mark Johnson about the possibility, he said, ‘Hey, Oregon State is a great place and you got to put your name in there,’ so I talked to Dale (Thomas).”
His emotions at the time were bittersweet.
“I was real excited about coming out and having an opportunity to be a head coach, “Wells said.
Amazingly enough, Wells almost came to OSU to be an assistant under legendary head coach Dale Thomas.
“He (Dale) was looking for an assistant to come out and take over or to help recruit and I really seriously considered coming out, “Wells said. “I’ve known Dale for many many years and I knew of his reputation. We had a pretty good relationship.”
While Thomas was known for being tough and not always playing by the rules, Wells’ approachable style and positive attitude has given him the reputation of being a player’s coach.
“He’s always there for you and that’s very nice to have when you are away from your parents — an older figure, “said sophomore Ty Watterson.
“He’s outgoing, and he knows everyone at the meets.”
In the practice room, Wells still hits the mats and grapples with his athletes.
“He’s an older man in a young man’s body. He’s young at heart, “Watterson said. “He comes in here sometimes and wrestles with us. He’s like 58 years old and he kicks the crap out of us younger guys.”
His sense of humor has also brought a loose edge to the team, especially on road trips.
“It’s got to be the time he started wrestling at the Portland airport, “said senior Matt Ellis.
“Jed Pennell, who is kind of a loose cannon anyway, always talked about how he wanted to wrestle Coach. So the next thing you know, they are rolling on the ground and everybody was just losing it.”
Despite his nice guy personality, he still keeps his wrestlers on their feet.
“If we perform poorly, he lets us know, “Watterson said. “He comes into practice expecting high things out of us, but he helps us out.”
Wells has kept the Beavers competitive in the Pac-10 conference every year he has been in Corvallis.
His many years of coaching collegiate and internationally has been an inspiration to many, including his current wrestlers.
“He’s so positive. I have been around some coaches who weren’t so positive, “Ellis said. “So I appreciate him and I hope to model my coaching style after his.”
While coach Thomas set the bar high, Wells has kept the ball rolling.
He couldn’t be more proud of the situation he has endured.
“It’s a wonderful place to be in terms of a Division I wrestling program where people is highly thought of, “Wells said. “And there’s great high school wrestling in the state of Oregon, so it was just a great fit.”
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