Jacob Lorentz Named William Woods University’s Inaugural Wrestling Coach

Courtesy of William Woods Athletics – Link

FULTON, Mo. – For the first time in its history, William Woods University is offering men’s and women’s wrestling as intercollegiate sports. Now, the Owls have named their inaugural coach.

Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tracy Gastineau announced the hiring of Jacob Lorentz, a long-time, highly successful high school wrestling coach from the state of Minnesota, to lead William Woods Wrestling.  WWU announced the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling in September of 2022.

Lorentz’s start date will be November 30.

“When I first arrived on campus, it felt like home,” said Lorentz. “I was very impressed with the Woods’ commitment to ensure the Men’s and Women’s wrestling program will have a bright future. I look forward to recruiting quality student-athletes who want to be a part of building a lasting legacy and tradition for The Woods Wrestling program.”

“We are pleased to have found the right individual in Jacob Lorentz to lead our new wrestling program,” said Gastineau. “Coach Lorentz molded championship teams and individual wrestlers during his outstanding tenure in the high school ranks, and we are confident that he will build a winning program at The Woods with young men and women of character.”

Lorentz comes to the Owls after an extremely successful high school career where he holds a 146-37 career dual meet record as a head coach. He coached varsity at Long Prairie/Grey Eagle-Browerville for seven years (2014-21) before stepping away. While at LPGE-Browerville, he turned around the program to have a 111-9 record in his final four seasons.

He is a three-time Park Region Coach of the Year, two-time Prairie Conference Coach of the Year, two-time Section 5A Coach of the Year, and the 2019 Minnesota Class A Coach of the Year and the 2019 Minnesota Coach of the Year.

At LPGE-Browerville, he coached two state champions, 12 State Place Winners and 27 State Qualifiers. His teams were Minnesota State Class A State Champions twice (2018-19, 2019-20), Section 5A Champions thrice (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20), Section 5A runner-ups twice, and the Park Region Conference Champions Dual/Individual Champions twice.

Lorentz was also a part of Minnesota Storm USA Wrestling – Nationals Duals coaching staff in Greco/Freestyle in 2017.

To contact the coach, email jacob.lorentz@williamwoods.edu.