Obe Blanc on North Dakota State wrestling: 'We want to grow everywhere'

North Dakota State promoted from within and hired Obe Blanc as the new wrestling head coach. Safe to say, the program can really flourish under its new leader.

Blanc is a former All-American wrestler and served as an assistant coach at North Dakota State over the last four years, including the last two as the associate head coach. But he has a vision to take big leaps in the coming years.

Blanc joined On3 for an exclusive conversation and discussed his goals for 2023-24 and beyond.

“We want to continue to grow everywhere,” Blanc told On3. “That’s obviously putting All-Americans on the podium. We finished top eight academically in terms of GPA. We’ve been as high as number two. We’ve been top 10 these past four years. And so we want to continue to push there and have the highest GPA as a group in terms of that aspect and put as many guys on that podium (as possible). We want our RTC to continue to provide opportunities for our athletes outside of the collegiate season. 

“Something that’s super important to me too is reconnecting our alumni base and getting everyone involved and you know that’s super important to me. This community has been phenomenal, so I really want to get as many people connected with the program.”

Blanc mentioned the history of the program and its importance as the Bison enter a new era.

“And so we want to celebrate our past All-Americans, national champions, guys that were on a team that were part of it,” Blanc said. “And so that’s something that’s super big for me, really being present in our community a lot more. It’s a little bit of everything, grow everywhere in everything and try to be the very best that we can be at every facet.”

Blanc wanted that to echo through his staff as well.

“Getting coaches that are super fired up and passionate about our student athletes and mentor them everywhere, off the mat, right,” Blanc said. “Want to make sure these guys are representing themselves and their families to the highest level when you’ll walk around a community, right? 

“So I really believe as a coach, you can really help student athletes be the best everywhere, not just wrestling. That’s just something we get to do for fun. That’s the cool part. But I really think my goal is to help build better people. And I think that’s something that really makes me happy and makes our institution happy.”