Brett Robbins coaching at North Central Invite wrestling tournament

Kodiak Creative/Jimmy Naprstek

Brett Robbins Steps Down as IWU’s Wrestling Coach

A national search will be conducted for the next head coach

7/18/2024 3:00:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – After helping to rebuild the Illinois Wesleyan University wrestling program, Brett Robbins announced he will be stepping down as the men's and women's head wrestling coach, Thursday, July 18.

"This has been an incredibly tough decision, but it is one that is in the best interest of my wife and kids," Robbins shared. "Having the opportunity to come back home to Bloomington and be a part of Titan wrestling has been incredible. From working with exceptional student-athletes, a great support staff, and the most supportive administration I have been around in my career I have learned how special Illinois Wesleyan is. My family has become big Titan fans over the past year and will continue to cheer on all the IWU sports teams from afar."

"I want to thank Brett for everything he poured into the program and our student-athletes," Illinois Wesleyan Athletic Director Mike Wagner said. "He provided leadership at a pivotal time for us as we reintroduced our men's program and started the women's program and did so with the student-athlete experience at the forefront. Brett has set a foundation in place for the next coach to come in and hit the ground running. We wish him, Holly, Nora, and Jack the best."

Robbins came to IWU from Division I University of Northern Iowa ahead of the 2023-24 season. With his experience coaching at the Division I level, Robbins was able to effectively rebuild the Titan men's wrestling program after a nearly 40-year hiatus as well as introduce women's wrestling to IWU's campus. Robbins led a team of nine men and one woman in his one season at the helm, graduating only three and bringing in a recruiting class of 12 for the upcoming year.

Additionally, Robbins helped create an off-campus wrestling facility that includes practice mats, cardio and weight training equipment, locker rooms, athletic training space, and a lounge area.

Robbins's stint at IWU was highlighted by one All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honoree in junior Bobby Conroy with a third-place finish in the 184-pound weight class at the CCIW Championships in February. Freshman Austin Johnston finished just shy of the podium in fourth and was named IWU's CCIW RESPECT recipient. As a team, IWU scored 30 points, good for a 10th-place team finish.

A national search for his replacement will begin immediately.

Print Friendly Version