NWCA ANNOUNCES NCAA WOMEN’S NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR WINNER

Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association has announced the 2020 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Coach of the Year Award winner. The award was given following the conclusion of the inaugural Cliff Keen WCWC National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships hosted by Arian College. The award, which is presented to a coach that has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community, is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA.

“In continuing our mission, Defense Soap is proud to partner with the NWCA to keep wrestlers on the mat with our products and education in hygiene.”

Guy Sako, Founder, and CEO of Defense Soap

The recipient of this year’s NCAA Women’s National Coach of the Year is Sam Schmitz of McKendree University. Coach Schmitz has served as the head coach since the announcement of the program in 2013. The 2020 campaign was a banner year for the Bearcats as they captured both the NWCA National Duals Championship (NCAA Women) as well as the WCWC National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship title with five athletes winning individual titles.

“Coach Schmitz and his squad had a phenomenal season and have established themselves as one of the top women’s programs in the nation regardless of division. His dedication to the sport is evident as you watch him mat side and as he interacts with his wrestlers.”

Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director

The NWCA will recognize the 2020 national winners during the NWCA National Convention awards luncheon. This year’s convention, presented by Cliff Keen, Defense Soap, and Resilite will be hosted on July 31 – August 2 at the Hard Rock Casino & Resort located in Hollywood, FL.

2020 NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR WINNERS

• NCAA Division I: [TBA]
• NCAA Division II: [TBA]
• NCAA Division III: TJ Miller, Loras College (Release)
• NCAA Women: Sam Schmitz, McKendree University 
• NAIA Men: Jeff Bedard, Reinhard University (Release)
• NAIA Women: [TBA]
• NJCAA Scholarship: Josh Watts, Iowa Western Community College (Release)
• NJCAA Non-Scholarship: Randy Rager, Rochester Community & Technical College (Release)

ABOUT THE NWCA

The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: Coaching Development, Student-Athlete Welfare, and the Promotion of Wrestling.