Two-time All-American and national runner-up Josh Moore has played a major role in Kent State's success over the last seven seasons as an assistant coach. The former Penn State standout joined Andrassy's staff in 2004, providing key continuity that has led to the rise of the program. The Golden Flashes have gone 92-39 in dual meets, during Moore's seven years on staff. "When kids come on campus, they have an instant respect for Josh," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of Moore's wretling accomplishments. "He's very confident in his teaching ability and brings a presence to the practice room of a guy that really knows what he's doing." Moore earned All-American honors in 2003, finishing third at the NCAA Championships. In 2004, he again earned All-American honors when he was the national runner-up at 133 pounds. While wrestling for the century-old Nittany Lions wrestling program, Moore set the all-time single season record in falls (24), bonus wins (32), and most wins as a senior (44). He also holds the record in career falls (53) and most matches wrestled (184). Moore also stands third all-time with 146 career wins. From the recruiting process to being a hands-on competitor in the practice room, Moore stays heavily involved with each wrestler. "He's still on the mat every day in practice which is so important," Andrassy said. "There isn't a guy that he won't work out with or can't make better in our room. His connections around the country, especially with Pennsylvania now has us talking to the types of recruits we normally would not have heard from in previous years. He can show recruits that you don't have to go to a Big Ten school to have national success." While competing in freestyle, he earned All-American honors at the 2006 U.S. Open and placed sixth at the World Team Trials. One year earlier, Moore claimed a spot in the semifinals of the 2005 U.S. Nationals and placed sixth at the World Team Trials. He also placed second at the 2004 New York Athletic Club International tournament. Moore was a four-time Northwest Pennsylvania regional champ and three-time state place-winner at Franklin High School. He was named a National High School All-American in 1999 and was a multiple freestyle and Greco Roman All-American at junior nationals. While at Penn State, he also competed in freestyle events, earning a co-championship at the 2003 University Freestyle Nationals. The Franklin, Pa. native earned a bachelor's degree in crime, law, and justice from Penn State in 2004. He graduated cum laude and earned Academic All-American honors in both 2003 and 2004. In the summer of 2009, he earned a master's degree in sport and recreation management from Kent State. Josh and his wife Shianne reside in Cuyahoga Falls with their three sons Joshua, Jacob and Jason. Assistant Coach Matt Hill Now in his second stint at Kent State, Matt Hill returned to the wrestling staff in the summer of 2010 as a full-time assistant coach. A three-time NCAA qualifier at Edinboro, Hill served as a graduate assistant at KSU from 2007-09. During the 2010-11 season, Hill worked closely with Kent State's upper weights, including 197-pound national champion Dustin Kilgore. In the summer of 2011, Hill was selected by the NWCA to participate in its 2011 Leadership Academy. Hill is married to the former Stephanie Novak. Volunteer Assistant Coach Andrew Wolf
In the past three seasons, Wolf has made significant contributions to the development of Kent State's upper weights, including national champion Dustin Kilgore and MAC champion Brendan Barlow. Prior to KSU, Wolf was an assistant coach at Mount Union College. He helped in the rebuilding of the Purple Raider program in all aspects, from developing training sessions and workouts to recruiting and fundraising. Leading up to his coaching career, Wolf was an outstanding wrestler and four-year letterwinner at Indiana University. He was an NCAA Tournament qualifier and served as a team captain with the Hoosiers as a senior. A native of Lawrenceburg, Ind. and graduate of East Central High School, Wolf also excelled in the classroom earning a bachelor's degree in secondary education at Indiana. Wolf was also a FILA Junior and University Freestyle All-American. “The position we got for Andrew was a perfect fit for all of us,” Head Coach Jim Andrassy said. “He brought some great things to the table in his first year and our guys have become familiar with him. With this kind of coaching staff, we’re looking for even better things come.” Wolf resides in Hudson with his wife Dana. He is currently working toward a master's degree in sport management. |
