Penn State working on more support for wrestling program, Pat Kraft says, following Cael Sanderson's contract extension
Indianapolis, Ind. — Cael Sanderson’s Penn State wrestling program has been boisterous since the legendary wrestler and coach took over the program. It’s had many reasons to cheer about individual and team success.
Yet, when the Nittany Lions recently extended his contract, the news was probably not celebrated. If not for an interview The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette conducted with former Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour, during which she revealed the extension, it may still be unknown publically that the greatest wrestler and coach the sport has ever had is sticking with the Lions for a few more years.
That might change in the future (more on that later). But first, during his initial appearance at Big Ten Media Days as the leader of the Lions, Kraft was asked to address the news 27 days into his tenure.
“He’s [the greatest of all time], and he can be here for as long as he wants,” Kraft said. “My thing with Cael, I don’t know the specifics [of the deal]. He is has signed up, which I’m very happy about.”
More work remains for Penn State and its wrestling program
You don’t need to spend a long time listening to Kraft to realize he’s a leader who gets things done. Like anyone who signs a new contract in any walk of life, Sanderson surely requested some things to come with it. Penn State is working on those now, though no specifics were shared.
“As great as Cael is, there’s things we have to do to continue to support him,” Kraft said. “He is special. That whole program is special. I’m not a fool. I’m not getting in the way of what Cael wants to do. But, I think there are pieces that we have to help him there. I mean, look, the NIL space is not just a football thing. It’s in every aspect of our organization.
“But I’m happy. I’m very happy that Cael is locked up with us. In fact, I was just going back and forth with him yesterday about some stuff. So it’s big deal.”
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Currently, Penn State only releases contract information for its head football and head men’s basketball coach. Kraft seemed open, however, to changing that approach in the future.
“It’s funny, because I asked KP [Penn State Associate Athletic Director for Communications Kris Petersen], why doesn’t anyone know [about Sanderson’s contract extension]? (laughs),” Kraft said.
“So yeah, maybe day 29, I will have that answer. There’s some things right now that we’re uncovering that we’re like; I’d yell from the mountaintop that our coach is staying with us.”
The 2022-2023 Penn State wrestling schedule has not yet been released. The Nittany Lions return four national champions from its NCAA Title winning team.
