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03-21-2006, 06:47 PM
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Hall of Fame
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OSU wrestling coach resigns.
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.
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03-21-2006, 07:00 PM
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Mess with the Vest, lose like the rest.
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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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03-21-2006, 07:12 PM
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Loves Buckeye History
Senior Moderator
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=158 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=152>A picture from Rivals.com.
</TD><TD width=6 rowSpan=3>
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle> Russ Hellickson</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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"This is the university of the American dream." - E. Gordon Gee
Last edited by BB73; 03-21-2006 at 07:23 PM.
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03-21-2006, 08:27 PM
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Anxious to begin three-putting!!
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Hellickson always does announcing for wrestling during the Summer Olympics on NBC.
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03-21-2006, 09:09 PM
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Luny Toon
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Does one of the assistants get first call?
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03-22-2006, 12:09 AM
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Currently Un-Banned
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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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03-22-2006, 08:20 AM
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6 and 1
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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.
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03-22-2006, 08:35 AM
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The Lizard King
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Dispatch
3/22/06
Quote:
Hellickson: It’s time to bow out
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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