UTC’s new assistant wrestling coachs Jeff Bedard, standing left, and Niko Brown lead athletes in practice on the first floor of McKenzie arena on Tuesday. UTC also has a new wrestling room and mats which are currently curing and should be ready for use by next week.Jeff Bedard and Niko Brown will be lending their expertise to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team.
The 44-year-old Bedard, a former Don Elia disciple at Carson-Newman, is replacing Jon Sioredas, who left to become head coach at Grand Canyon University in Phoeniz, which is currently transitioning to Division I.
Brown, a former UTC standout, steps into the assistant’s spot formerly occupied by Mark Ellis, the former two-time NCAA champion who resigned to enter private business.
“Both of these guys understand and believe in the direction and culture of our program. They not only believe in it but want to add to what we have already done,” Mocs coach Heath Eslinger said.
Bedard has been around, coaching at the high school and collegiate levels and competing at the national and international levels.