Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - Printable Version
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Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - 82lsju - 09-11-2023
Quote:Chris Ayres has been appointed the Matt Gentry Head Wrestling Coach, as announced today by Jaquish & Kenniger Director of Athletics Bernard Muir.
The 32nd head coach in Stanford wrestling history, Ayres comes to The Farm after spending 17 seasons as the head coach at Princeton.
https://gostanford.com/news/2023/9/11/ayres-named-matt-gentry-head-wrestling-coach.aspx
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - fullmetal - 09-11-2023
Hiring contingent on background check, that was a quick announcement...how dissatisfied was Koll that he would bail on Aug. 31st? Sure, it was for his alma mater, who had one week prior, lost their previous head coach (Coleman Scott) when he bailed to become -- get this -- associate head coach at his alma mater (Oklahoma State). So the old UNC head coach (after one year assisting and eight years head coaching) takes a demotion to go home and coach under his old coach on Aug. 21st. UNC annouces Koll's hiring on Aug. 31st. And today, Stanford announces Koll's replacement, a 17-year head coach from Princeton...
Ayres' latest tweet (30 min ago) says "So I need a new handle." I like this guy already (plus the recruiting atmosphere and record of achievement and expectations should all be similar).
https://twitter.com/tigercoachayres
Shane Griffith, who won the NCAA championship at 165 lbs in 2021, has grad transferred to Michigan and will wrestle for the Wolverines.
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - chrisk - 09-11-2023
Acres ’ daughter is a junior wrestler at Princeton (125 lbs). He won’t be coaching his daughter anymore unless she transfers.
(09-11-2023, 06:23 PM)fullmetal Wrote: Hiring contingent on background check, that was a quick announcement...how dissatisfied was Koll that he would bail on Aug. 31st? Sure, it was for his alma mater, who had one week prior, lost their previous head coach (Coleman Scott) when he bailed to become -- get this -- associate head coach at his alma mater (Oklahoma State). So the old UNC head coach (after one year assisting and eight years head coaching) takes a demotion to go home and coach under his old coach on Aug. 21st. UNC annouces Koll's hiring on Aug. 31st. And today, Stanford announces Koll's replacement, a 17-year head coach from Princeton...
Ayres' latest tweet (30 min ago) says "So I need a new handle." I like this guy already (plus the recruiting atmosphere and record of achievement and expectations should all be similar).
https://twitter.com/tigercoachayres
Shane Griffith, who won the NCAA championship at 165 lbs in 2021, has grad transferred to Michigan and will wrestle for the Wolverines.
The OSU coach is in his 33rd year, so there may be some succession planning involved.
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - fullmetal - 09-11-2023
Interesting data point. She's a junior this year, it seems. Might be a split coast family situation.
Last year's OSU coaching team included associate head coach Zack Esposito, who departed for the USA Wrestling National Freestyle Developmental Coach position. A recruiting coordinator and a volunteer assistant were promoted to assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, respectively. Last year's sole assistant coach remains. So Coleman Scott steps in to fill Esposito's shoes (Esposito is an '07 alum, Scott is an '08 alum). You'd think Esposito would have been the prime candidate for succession.
Note that Esposito announced his departure Aug 17. Scott announced his new position Aug 21. Koll announced his departure Aug 31. And in somewhat lockstep cadence, Ayres is announcing his position today (Sept 11). A lot of dominoes have fallen in a short amount of time. It sounds like Princeton will probably promote internally for their new vacancy.
Of note:
Quote:There were hints, however, that he wasn’t fully enchanted with Stanford.https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/11201611-rob-koll-leaves-stanford-to-take-over-at-north-carolina
Koll flew to Oklahoma in the spring to check out what the Sooners had to offer when their head coaching position was vacant. He ultimately opted to stay at Stanford.
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - Spiny_Norman - 09-11-2023
Koll's farewell email to the wrestling supporters said the following:
Quote:As many of you know, wrestling and family has always been a cornerstone of my life. After much reflection and discussion, Rachel and I have decided that being closer to our loved ones is a paramount priority. Furthermore, the undeniable financial challenges posed by the exorbitant cost of living in the Bay Area have played a role in this decision. While Stanford has been an incredible home, this move will allow us to create a more stable environment for my family.
Returning to my alma mater has always been a dream of mine. I never expected this opportunity would arise and I believe this calling needs to be answered. The University of North Carolina has a rich wrestling history, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success.
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - CowboyIndian - 09-11-2023
(09-11-2023, 06:43 PM)chrisk Wrote: Acres ’ daughter is a junior wrestler at Princeton (125 lbs). He won’t be coaxing his daughter anymore unless she transfers.
I wouldn't think he'd have to. :)
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - Jamesy - 09-11-2023
(09-11-2023, 08:25 PM)Spiny_Norman Wrote: Koll's farewell email to the wrestling supporters said the following:
Quote:As many of you know, wrestling and family has always been a cornerstone of my life. After much reflection and discussion, Rachel and I have decided that being closer to our loved ones is a paramount priority. Furthermore, the undeniable financial challenges posed by the exorbitant cost of living in the Bay Area have played a role in this decision. While Stanford has been an incredible home, this move will allow us to create a more stable environment for my family.
Returning to my alma mater has always been a dream of mine. I never expected this opportunity would arise and I believe this calling needs to be answered. The University of North Carolina has a rich wrestling history, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success.
Wow, pretty bluntly puts it out there that the job doesn't pay enough. Would hope Stanford steps it up going forward.
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - fullmetal - 09-11-2023
Tough given that wrestling was almost cut as one of the eleven sports on the covid target list. I imagine it would be up to the boosters to increase their donations to the wrestling endowment.
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - 2006alum - 09-11-2023
(09-11-2023, 09:34 PM)fullmetal Wrote: Tough given that wrestling was almost cut as one of the eleven sports on the covid target list. I imagine it would be up to the boosters to increase their donations to the wrestling endowment.Yeah I mean in fairness, the sport doesn't make any money, doesn't motivate many boosters, and doesn't have any endemic (local) support. (unlike, say, water polo, which is quite uniquely popular among HSers across California). And Stanford has only fleetingly been good at it, again, unlike, say, water polo. Given all that, I can't say I'd prioritize throwing another $200k for our 36th varsity sports coach versus funding another full professorship.
RE: Chris Ayres - new wrestling coach - fullmetal - 09-12-2023
The wrestling boosters are a pretty motivated group, I thought. Maybe they're tapped out from saving the sport. Professorship funding tends to be a different type of money than head coaching money.