New Notre Dame wrestling coach Rocco Mansueto.Notre Dame has a new wrestling coach, with former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant Rocco Mansueto stepping in to replace legendary veteran John Mullin.
It wasn't necessarily time but rather timing that led to the change, one urged by Mullin, who has been part of the Irish wrestling tradition as an athlete or coach for the past 40 years.
"It was an unusual year in that we had several faculty positions open. I happened to find out that Rocco was available and, more than that, that he had his master's degree in educational guidance," said Mullin, knowing that Notre Dame uncharacteristically had two guidance department openings.
Mullin, who remains in his position as Notre Dame's dean of students, had hoped to step back from wrestling with little fanfare, but the former state medalist - back when all teams competed in one division - has played a part in the development of the sport in the Chattanooga area and in Tennessee.
He has kept the Irish as one of the area's most competitive teams. They finished no worse than fifth 10 times at state duals, including a three-year run of championships from 2006 to 2008 and a runner-up finish in 2009. He also produced a number of traditional state tournament medalists, more than a dozen of them claiming championships.
"There's no regrets," Mullin said of his decision. "I'm pumped. I'm still going to be supportive and helping - just in a different way - but it energizes me. Being able to bring somebody in with Rocco's academic credentials was big, and obviously his wrestling credentials were a clincher."
Mansueto has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in school counseling.
"That's what got him in the door - great credentials as an educator - but it's comforting to know that Rocco is going to be leading the wrestling program," Mullin said.
Mansueto, a three-time NCAA tournament qualifier and one of the 2002 world team trials finalists, coached at John Carroll University, Cape Henry Collegiate School and West Point before accepting an assistant's position on Heath Eslinger's staff at UTC. He held that job for three years before stepping out to start a private business that involved gear designed for and marketed to wrestlers. Part of the proceeds from that business went to support Olympic-caliber wrestlers.
Yet Mansueto missed coaching and working with young people.
"Stepping away from UTC taught me a valuable lesson. Coaching and working with young people is a very big part of my genetic makeup," he said. "However, I didn't want just to go someplace to coach, and here there is a strong, credible, pointed position in the athletic field."
He also is inheriting a program that has held its own around the state.
"I feel really good about working with the kids and adding layers to an already good system," Mansueto said. "John's been here for years. There's consistency and winning. The alumni base is strong. I get excited about the history of wrestling at Notre Dame and the passion for the sport in the Notre Dame community. I'm honored that John felt I could be the next guy to run with the program."
Mullin said veteran assistants Tim Voiles and Nathan Wehunt and administrative assistant Melissa Slavin would remain with the program.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.