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OSU wrestling coach resigns.

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BuckWrestler141

BuckWrestler141

Legend
'18 Bowl Mania Champ
March 21, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State wrestling coach Russ Hellickson announced his retirement Tuesday, effective July 31.
Hellickson began his tenure at Ohio State in the 1986-87 season. He mentored 41 All-Americans, the most of any Ohio State wrestling coach, including a record five All-America honorees in 2004. The two-time Big Ten coach of the year (1991, '02) and 2002 NWCA National Coach of the Year coached five national champions to seven championships, including two-time NCAA champions Kevin Randleman in 1992 and 1993 and Tommy Rowlands in 2002 and 2004. He posted a record of 272-170-6 at the helm of the Buckeyes.
"I'm extremely proud of the student-athletes and coaches I've worked with over the years," Hellickson said. "We have one of the hardest-working staffs in all of college wrestling. The program has not lived up to my expectations the last few years. By stepping aside at this time, it will allow my successor the opportunity to come in and return the program to national prominence. "
"We appreciate Russ' dedication and contributions to the success of the wrestling program over the years," Gene Smith, Ohio State Director of Athletics, said. "We wish him every success in his retirement."
Heather Lyke, OSU Associate Director of Athletics who oversees wrestling, will chair the search committee to replace Hellickson.
"We will put a national search committee in place as soon as possible to find the best coach," Lyke said. "We expect to have enormous interest in this position and look forward to a strong pool of quality candidates."
Ohio State assistant coaches Ken Ramsey and Mitch Clark also will remain on staff until July 31. The current Buckeye staff members will operate the 2006 summer wrestling camps.
 
I'm glad that this at least sounds voluntary, although I do think that the program has underachieved in recent years. OSU should be a perennial power in wrestling. Hopefully the next coach will make that happen. I agree with Lyke that the job should generate enormous interest.
 
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I hate to see anyone lose their job, and I really hope that this was Coach Hellickson's decision alone.
That being said, something had to happen. There is just too much in-state talent at the High School level to accept a 45th place finish in the NCAA's, let alone being a stomping-boy in the Big Ten.
 
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tOSU has only had three wrestling coaches for well over a half century. Casey Frederick (1948-1976) was a great guy, but not a great coach. So, when Chris Ford (1977-1986) came in, it was a major upgrade for the program. But he was just not a major figure in the sport. So, when Russ Hellickson was hired, it was another major upgrade for the program. Unfortunately, Hellickson had a distaste for recruiting, and when you only have 9.9 schollies to offer for 10 starting spots, you've got to be a great recruiter.

Let's hope the next coaching hire will be the next major upgrade for the program. It doesn't have to be an Ohio person, because everybody else has already been recruiting Ohio. There should be plenty of interest in the position, if for no other reason than you wouldn't have to travel so far to recruit Ohio kids. It will be interesting to see what names surface.
:osu:
 
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Dispatch

3/22/06

Hellickson: It’s time to bow out

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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Coming off back-to-back bad seasons and fearing his message no longer was getting across, Ohio State wrestling coach Russ Hellickson yesterday announced his retirement.
The move ends a 24-year coaching run for the member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Twenty of those years were spent at Ohio State, where he coached five national champions and 41 All-Americans.
But the Buckeyes have not finished higher than sixth in the Big Ten since 2002, and were 11 th (last) in 2005 and this year.
"We’re not as productive as we need to be, and maybe we need a young guy to come in and put Ohio State wrestling where it needs to be," Hellickson, 57, said. "The best things about me as a person are the worst things about me as a coach. I tend to be very accommodating and give people lots of opportunities to amend.
"Sometimes, I give people third, fourth or fifth chances for the light to come on. That’s probably a weakness for me. I let the situation go too long."
In a news release, athletics director Gene Smith thanked Hellickson for his service, but did not return a phone call.
Asked if the decision to step down was his, Hellickson said, "A decision had to be made. In making that decision, you are influenced by other people around you. Other people make comments and offer suggestions, and some of them are in a position to make a decision for you."
Associate athletics director Heather Lyke will oversee the search for a replacement, and plans to put together a national search committee. Assistant coaches Ken Ramsey and Mitch Clark are expected to apply.
"It’s one of the best jobs in the country, it will be highly applied for," Ramsey said. "I’m obviously interested."
A Wisconsin native, Hellickson graduated from the University of Wisconsin and coached the Badgers from 1982 to 1986 before coming to Ohio State.
In just his second year, Hellickson’s Buckeyes finished ninth in the nation and produced a national champion, Mark Coleman.
That began his most successful stretch. Ohio State posted top-five Big Ten finishes from 1988 through 1993 and finished in the top five nationally from 1991 to 1993.
The program dropped off in the mid- to late 90s. Sparked by Ready graduate Tommy Rowlands, a two-time national champ, the Buckeyes finished sixth (2002) and third (2004) in the nation before slumping the past two seasons.
"Russ is a passionate coach who cared about his wrestlers," former Buckeye Dominic DiSabato said. "He’s brought a lot of exposure to the program. He’s done a great job of establishing something that his successor can build on and bring it back to where Russ had it and to where it needs to be."
Hellickson said he plans to focus on being a husband and grandfather once his retirement is effective July 31.
And he’ll leave with plenty of good memories.
[email protected]
Click to expand...
 
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I would love to see Tom Brands get the job. He seems to have things going in the right direction at Virginia Tech, however. I doubt he would leave after only three years, but Tech isn't a high profile wrestling job. The Big 10 is the cream of the crop when it comes to wrestling (The Big 12 isn't too far behind).
 
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:gobucks3: :gobucks4: Once again did not know that Hellickson was not a 'willing recruiter'. thanks Hineybuck. He did seem to get plenty of HS State champs to sign up though. I also agree that Hellickson did do a tremendous job of getting OSU the exposure, but much like coaches in other of our sports, cannot quite get them to the next level (ice hockey, basketball, women's basketball) and the new AD, Smith, was able to make a move (pretty bold for his first year).

Having said all that, should think that we'd get a lot of interest, as the B10 has been the highest RPI league (transferrable to wrestling), although cannot seem to break the hold of Iowa State or Oklahoma State......

Just winning the B10 would be many points toward the Sears Trophy. Here's hoping that Smith's first hire will be another in the line of a Matta or Tressel, or ????? Is Bob Todd next? He's done well in B10 competition, but fizzled on a national scene. But all Northern schools fare poorly........

:banger:
 
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