Penn State wrestling will hire Nick Lee to be its new assistant coach
Penn State wrestling is bringing a program alum back to be its new assistant coach. Two-time NCAA champ Nick Lee is taking Jimmy Kennedy’s spot on Cael Sanderson’s staff, he announced on the Nittany Lions Wrestling Club’s podcast Friday. Kennedy, of course, left the Lions to follow David Taylor to Oklahoma State after three seasons in State College.
“We’re going to fill the position ASAP,” Sanderson told show host and program play-by-play broadcaster Jeff Byers. “Obviously the position opened unexpectedly. We’re going to hire Nick Lee in that position. He has a knack for coaching. He has a taken a vested interest in helping the people around him get better. I think he’s going to do an outstanding job. He will be a great resource for the bottom five weight classes. You try to make sure you have people in all the positions. I’m really excited to work with Nick. We’re going to get him going as soon as we possibly can. He’s the guy. He’s excited about the job. And we’re excited for him to join the staff.”
Why is Nick Lee ready to join the Penn State staff?
Lee, who Sanderson said is a young mind who will offer different insight to the established staff of Cael Sanderson, Cody Sanderson, and Casey Cunningham, won the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Championships at 141 pounds. He was also the 2023 US champion at the 65-kilogram level and won the 2024 Pan-American games.
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Lee lost his senior national team spot to Zain Retherford back in April at the US Olympic Team Trials in State College. Instead of sulking over the loss, he went to Istanbul, Turkey as Retherford’s training partner. Retherford, of course, won four matches in repechage to qualify himself and the U.S. for the 2024 summer games in Paris. Ultimately, Lee’s trials loss ended his competitive career. But, it opened this door to join Sanderson’s staff. And, it’s a key move. Thomas Gilman also followed Taylor to Stillwater. The former NLWC member was a big helper for the Lions who wrestle anywhere from 125-157 pounds despite not being on staff. Lee can now take that role, which he already had some part in, and will have name recognition on the recruiting trail. It’s a win-win for both sides as Lee starts his next chapter.
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