Sean Bormet on Michigan national title goals: 'These guys are already thinking it'

Michigan wrestling coach Sean Bormet knows he has a national championship caliber roster at his disposal for the 2023-24 season.

After landing big time transfers, the Wolverines look like they went all in for 2024 to challenge perennial national champion Penn State. The way Bormet sees it, that was the big attraction for Michigan when looking at transfer portal candidates and high school recruits.

The 2022 Big Ten champions want a little more after falling short last season. Bormet spoke with On3 about those championship aspirations.

“You know, the great thing about the team we have and the guys we have coming in and I know par of it is (it was) one of the driving forces of those guys choosing to come here, was the opportunity,” Bormet said. “I don’t feel like our staff has had to really say it. These guys are already saying it, you know, and they’re already thinking it, they’re already talking about it and they know it’s always a goal. 

“Obviously being being a trophy team, being in contention to be a trophy team every year puts you in position to win national titles, and, you know, and that’s really been a focus these last five years. It’s ultra competitive right now, all these different areas, you know, whether it’s you know, your college season, the RTC making Olympic teams, the Big Ten, it is stacked and it’s it’s ultra competitive. But you know what this team we have coming, I think they know that realistically this is a goal.”

The only teams to pass Penn State since Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions won a national title in 2011 were Ohio State (2015) and Iowa (2021). Every other year Penn State won the team national title at NCAAs.

Could Michigan be the next team to do so? Bormet is eager to find out starting this summer.

“It’s something everybody is hungry for. I think it’s something they’re all excited about,” Bormet said. “And I think it’s also what was part of the big draw. But the overall focus is going to be getting these guys here on the ground and getting this team really galvanized and connected and for the most part, just focusing on improvement.

“You know, getting better, pushing and doing all the things it takes to put yourself in position to do that when March rolls around.”