Virginia Tech's David Hoffman has been hired as an assistant coach for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's wrestling program.
"I am excited about having Coach Hoffman on our staff," UTC head coach Heath Eslinger said. "He was a successful student-athlete and has proven that he understands the dynamics of coaching."
Hoffman succeeds Jeff Bedard, who left the Mocs after two seasons to start a wrestling program at Reinhardt University in Waleska, Ga. Bedard replaced Jon Sioredas, who departed Chattanooga to start a program at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., and is now head coach at Cal-Poly. Rocco Mansueto, Eslinger's first assistant, went into private business and since has become wrestling coach at Notre Dame High School.
"When you look at winning it's about bringing in the right guys, and when your assistants move into head coaching positions it's about having surrounded yourself with the right people," Eslinger said.
An All-American at Virginia Tech, Hoffman was a four-time NCAA qualifier and a team captain for three seasons. He compiled a collegiate record of 116-32. His coaching career began at Bucknell; he stayed there six seasons before returning to Virginia Tech four years ago. He helped mold three top-10 finishes at the NCAA championships.
"David brings experience from a lot of different angles. He wrestled for Tom Brands, he worked at Bucknell for a great coach (Dan Wirnsberger), and he's worked four years at Virginia Tech, which is one of the most improved programs in the country," Eslinger said.
"From a personal standpoint, he values the student-athlete, which is a priority in our program. He also understands the importance of recruiting. Success at this level depends on the caliber of kid you're bringing in. That's an area where we can see improvement, and I think he can help us."
A five-time prep All-American and two-time national prep champion from Pottstown, Pa., Hoffman has wrestling bloodlines. In addition to being one of three brothers to wrestle, his grandfather and great-uncle were longtime wrestling coaches.
Hoffman will be the Mocs' head assistant and is looking forward to moving from being a practice partner to running practices.
"I'm definitely leaving a great program at my alma mater, but I felt like it was time for a new challenge," he said. "I look forward to the coaching role, the recruiting role and more responsibility altogether. I look forward to working with Heath. He is a great guy with a great perspective on life and life outside of wrestling. We have similar mindsets."
An avid backpacker when time allows, Hoffman and his wife, Lisa, have a daughter (Madelyn) who is closing in on her second birthday. He will begin his UTC coaching duties Monday.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.