Columbia hires Donny Pritzlaff as new wrestling head coach

Columbia will hire Donny Pritzlaff as their new wrestling head coach, beginning in the 2024-25 season. He informed the Rutgers team and staff Tuesday, according to Pat Lanni of NJ.com

Pritzlaff, a two-time NCAA champion at Wisconsin and World Bronze Medalist, spent the last 10 years as the associate head coach at Rutgers. Now, he’ll become a head coach at a Division 1 program for the first time in his career.

Rutgers head coach Scott Goodale confirmed the move on Twitter, wishing Pritzlaff well.

“Donny Pritzlaff was absolutely a huge part of the rise of (Rutgers Wrestling),” he wrote. “I loved everyday we had together and we wish him nothing but the best for him, the family, and this opportunity. This is a long time coming and he will be great in the role!!”

Pritzlaff’s coaching career began at Wisconsin, his alma mater in 2002 as a volunteer assistant. He became an assistant coach at Hofstra in 2004 until he returned to Madison as an assistant coach in 2007.

Pritzlaff was eventually promoted to associate head coach of the Badgers in 2009. Just two years later, he was hired as an assistant coach at Michigan and stayed there until 2014.

From there, Pritzlaff returned to his native New Jersey to become the associate head coach of the Scarlet Knights under Goodale.

Pritzlaff was in the running for the Maryland head coaching job before he turned it down five years ago. The Terrapins ended up hiring Alex Clemsen to lead the program.

A well respected technician and recruiter, Pritzlaff should bring instant juice to a Columbia program looking to rise in the Ivy League. The Lions went 5-8 in duals last season.

Pritzlaff has the success on the mat to back it up. He won two NCAA titles and was a four-time All-American at Wisconsin. He won his two titles in 2000 and ’01 at 165 pounds.

Pritzlaff eventually represented Team USA at the 2007 World Championships and won a bronze medal at 74 KG.