Ben Nelson, a former Indiana University wrestler who has been on the Baylor wrestling staff for the past two years, has been named successor to longtime Red Raiders coach Jim Morgan.
Although the promotion had been anticipated since Morgan announced his retirement immediately following this year’s traditional state tournament, the official announcement wasn’t made until Thursday afternoon.
“It’s not every day that a high school has the opportunity to have an All-Big Ten wrestler with a Ph.D. in bio-chemistry as the leader of its wrestling program,” Baylor athletic director Thad Lepcio said in a release from the school.
Nelson is only the third head wrestling coach in Baylor’s history and follows two legends: Major Luke Worsham and Morgan.
“I’m deeply honored that the administration thought I was someone that could carry on. It is a real neat opportunity,” Nelson said between classes Thursday afternoon.