Steiner Named National Women's Wrestling Coach
May 20, 2002 | Wrestling
University of Wisconsin assistant wrestling coach Terry Steiner has been named USA Wrestling's full-time National Women's Coach as announced by Executive Director Rich Bender. Steiner, an assistant with the Badger wrestling program since 1996, will be responsible for the training of America's elite women freestyle wrestlers, as well as coaching women wrestlers who are involved in the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete program. He will also play an important role in the development of women 's wrestling in the United States.
'It's an opportunity in wrestling that has never been available to me,' said Steiner. 'I have worked with wrestlers of all ages. I saw this chance to work with women wrestlers, the one part of wrestling I have not worked with. I had to ask myself, `Why do I coach'' I coach to help others to achieve their goals and help them become better people and citizens through wrestling. I have a passion for people. It is a great opportunity to see what I can do. '
'Anything that USA Wrestling has its hands on has a good chance to succeed,' Steiner added. 'Coming through the system as an athlete, it's a first-class organization. The opportunities I had as an athlete were second to none. I see the same thing with our women's program. USA Wrestling will do it the right way; we'll do it to win.'
'USA Wrestling is honored to hire such an outstanding individual to lead our women's effort,' said Bender. 'We are confident that Terry will provide the necessary leadership to not only develop the sport in this country, but also to build a national team that will be the dominant force on the international level. He brings a wealth of experience to the organization, both as an athlete and coach.'
A three-time All-American and 1993 NCAA champion at the University of Iowa, Steiner has completed his sixth season as an assistant wrestling coach at Wisconsin, working with head coach Barry Davis. He has helped develop a number of successful Division I wrestlers, including two-time NCAA champion Donny Pritzlaff.
Prior to Wisconsin, Steiner spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Oregon State where he helped coach the Beavers to a pair of top-10 NCAA finishes. He was also a coach with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club in Iowa City, Iowa after his college career had ended.
Steiner has also coached youth wrestlers for many years. Since 1997, he has served as one of the coaches for Wisconsin's USA Wrestling Cadet National Team, helping the state's best athletes in training camp and coaching them in Fargo, N.D.
Steiner, 32, earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Iowa in 1993. He and his wife, Jodi, have one daughter, Raven.
