Emily Gatewood/Missouri Sports Information
Columbia, Mo. “Missouri wrestling Head Coach Brian Smith announced today that Pat McNamara has been hired as the newest Tiger assistant wrestling coach. McNamara enters the rising MU wrestling program after spending two years with the University of Virginia staff.
“Pat comes to Missouri with a lot of proven experience. He was a successful competitor in the Big 10 Conference and over the past four years he has combined his abilities on the mat with the knowledge he gained through working with the successful programs of Central Michigan and UVA.”
A 2001 graduate of Michigan State, McNamara was a three-time All-America wrestler at 133-pounds (1998, 2000, 2001) and compiled a 108-28 overall record. While competing in the Big 10 Conference, McNamara notched a 49-16 record and won the league title as a sophomore in 1999. McNamara was a four-time NCAA qualifier and ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation at 133-pounds during his junior season (1999-2000).
Upon graduation from Michigan State, McNamara spent two years at Central Michigan University working towards his master’s degree in sports administration and serving as a graduate assistant for CMU wrestling Head Coach Tom Borrelli. With his assistance, the Chippewas finished first in the MAC Championships (2003) and qualified seven NCAA grapplers for the 2003 NCAA Championships.
During his time at UVA (2003-05), McNamara served as assistant coach to Lenny Bernstein and saw the Cavaliers earn three conference champions, were awarded with their eighth and ninth All-American honorees in Scott Moore and Tim Foley and finished 16th in the nation during the 2003-04 season.
“I’m really looking forward to starting a new experience at the University of Missouri,” McNamara said. “Brian Smith and (assistant coach) Bart Horton have done a tremendous job of turning the program into one of the most powerful teams in the nation. I firmly believe that Missouri competes in the strongest conference in the country and I’m anxious to get into the room and do what I can to help the Tigers to their first Big 12 and National title.”
McNamara is slated to begin his role as assistant wrestling coach beginning Monday, May 2, 2005 and replaces former MU assistant Robbie Waller. Waller was named head Oklahoma assistant earlier this year.
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