Nick Lee reveals conversation with Cael Sanderson prior to accepting Penn State assistant job

Nick Lee was named Penn State’s newest assistant wrestling coach earlier this week and the two-time NCAA champ revealed what he discussed with Cael Sanderson.

With former assistant Jimmy Kennedy leaving for Oklahoma State on David Taylor’s new Cowboy staff, there was an opening for the new season. Lee, who trains at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club for his senior level aspirations, made the natural transition to the bench.

He was one of a handful of Penn State wrestlers that could’ve taken the spot.

“I mean, we have a bunch of guys, I think that could have stepped into that position,” Lee said on the Baschamania Podcast. “Cael wanted to fill it pretty quick right? Because we have guys competing all the time. We got guys competing in U20s and U23s soon. It’s not something that you want to leave empty for too long. But yeah, I mean, he just asked me if I would want to fill that position and I said there’s nothing else I would rather do. 

“I wrestle here and I help the guys out already. So, you know, it’s kind of natural for me to want to continue to help them in an official position. So yeah, it was a pretty short, casual conversation. And I’m sure that they don’t just fill that position as an afterthought. I don’t want to give that impression. I think they’re very deliberate about who they’re going to pick for that coaching spot.”

Lee became Penn State’s first five-time All-American in 2022 when he won his second straight national title at 141 pounds. He was a part of three national title Penn State teams and had two other podium finishes for the Nittany Lions.

Lee finished fifth in 2018 and ‘19 at those respective tournaments while becoming a First-Team All-American in 2020 after the canceled tournament.

In addition to his runner-up finish at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Lee’s freestyle accomplishments are mounting as well. He earned his third spot on the United States National Team at 65 kg this season and was a member of the 2023 U.S. World Team. 

Lee was the 2023 U.S. Open Champion and the 2023 Final X Champion (earning a spot on the U.S. World Team).

Under Sanderson, Penn State’s 2024-25 staff is as follows: Cody Sanderson (Associate Head Coach), Casey Cunningham (Head Assistant Coach), Lee (Assistant Coach) and Adam Lynch (Director of Operations).