Chattanooga wrestling has its man. Former Southern Conference wrestler-of-the-year Heath Eslinger has been hired as the Mocs 13th head wrestling coach.

The University has called a 2 p.m. press conference Saturday in the hall of fame room at McKenzie Arena on campus to introduce Eslinger as the new coach.

“I am humbled and honored to be the new Chattanooga wrestling coach and this is a great opportunity for myself and my family,'' said Eslinger, who wrestled for the Mocs nearly a decade ago and now replaces Chris Bono as head of the program.

Bono was head coach the past three years with a 39-17 win-loss record and three Southern Conference titles. Bono accepted an assistant coaching position at Iowa State in June.

“I believe that my hiring is a good fit for me and the university,'' stated Eslinger who wrestled for Mocs under Mark Leen (1996-2000) and served as a Moc assistant wrestling coach under former head coach Terry Brands (2003-2004).

Eslinger has been the head coach at Cleveland High School the past three years and led the Blue Raiders to second place finishes at the state duals (2009) and state traditional (2008) tournaments.

''I believe that Heath has the enthusiasm and passion for UTC wrestling and he will have a positive effect on the student-athletes' lives here at Chattanooga,'' said Chattanooga athletics director Rick Hart.

“There were several excellent candidates for the position and I think there were some intangibles that separated Heath from everyone else as we looked at who was the right man for five to 10 years down the road,'' Hart stated. “I feel this is the right fit for us.''

The Cleveland, Tenn. native brings an solid resume to his new position.

Eslinger is a two-time state high school champion (state tournament Outstanding Wrestler in 1995) at Bradley Central, captain of the school's first state team champion and led the Mocs to three SoCon team titles.

His seven year coaching career shows two years as a Bradley Central assistant (2001-2002; two state traditional titles), two years as a UTC assistant (2003-2004) and the past three years leading Cleveland.

Eslinger starts work on Monday with an overflowing to-do list and, more importantly, the vision and drive to continue the Mocs' winning ways.

In the next two weeks he plans to hire a full-time assistant coach (plus two volunteer coaches), finalize an attractive, competitive 2009-2010 schedule, meet with the current Moc wrestlers, contact the incoming freshmen and do some much needed recruiting for the class of 2010.

“We have lots to do and a short time to do it in,'' Eslinger stated. “I am here for the long haul so I am ready to roll.

“One of my first meetings will be with the team members and make sure the guys who are in summer school are going to class and making good grades.''

Eslinger is impressed with Hart's vision for the athletes, coaches and teams at Chattanooga.

“I believe that Rick and I are on the same page as we want to instill in the athletes the importance to excel in the classroom and on the mat and be good citizens and excellent ambassadors for the university.''

Former Mocs coach Jim Morgan sees Eslinger as the right choice.

“Heath is a class act and he brings stability to the program,'' said Morgan, who led the Mocs to 203 wins and six SoCon titles in 16 seasons.

“He will really focus on academics and recruiting this region and I assure you that his guys will be ready to wrestle when they walk on that mat.''

Heath Eslinger:

13th head wrestling coach at Chattanooga … three-time Southern Conference Champion (1998-2000) ... SoCon Wrestler of the Year (2000) … 2nd in all-time Moc wins (120-18) … four-time team captain … three-time team OW … two-time Midlands tournament place finisher; 3rd in 2003, 5th in 2000 … two-time state high school champion at Bradley Central … 1995 state tournament Outstanding Wrestler … assistant coach at Bradley Central (2001, 2002) … assistant coach at UTC (2003, 2004) … founder of Higher Calling Wrestling Club in 2004 … head coach at Cleveland (Tenn.) High School, 2007-09 … led Blue Raiders to runner-up in state duals (2009) and state traditional (2008) … graduate of UTC in 2000 with degree in Exercise Science, Health and Leisure Studies K-12.

Mocs Wrestling Legacy:

Chattanooga Wrestling:

Overall Record: 63 years … 516-298-12 (63.2%)

First Season : 1946-47

First Coach: Ken Carpenter

13th Coach: Heath Eslinger

:

All-Americans: 24

Southern Champions: 62

Southern Conference Champions: 129

SoCon Team Titles: 24

Highest NCAA Finishes
NCAA Division I:

14th (tied) – 1983

21st - 2007

21st (tied) - 2005

NCAA Division II:

2nd – 1976

3rd - 1975

9th - 1977

UT-Chattanooga Wrestling Coaches (12 Coaches; 63 years - 1947-2009)

Total Wins (516-298-12 63.2%)

Jim Morgan (1969-1984), 16 years; 203–67-1

Andy Nardo (1953-1967) 15 years; 77-30-4

Ethan Reeve (1985-1990), 6 years; 57-38-1

Mark Leen (1996-2001), 6 years; 43-35-1

Chris Bono (2007-2009), 3 years; 39-17-0

Ralph Manning (1991-1995), 5 years; 32-28-0

Terry Brands (2003-2005), 3 years; 31-33-0

Joe Seay (2006), 1 year; 16-8-1

Franky James (2002), 1 year; 9-8-0

Ken Carpenter (1947-1951), 5 years; 5-21-4

Russ Skall (1952), 1 year; 3-5-0

Joe Geri (1968), 1 year, 0-8-0

Win Percentage

Jim Morgan (1969-1984), 16 years; 203–67-1 (75.1%)

Andy Nardo (1953-1968) 15 years; 77-30-4 (71.2%)

Chris Bono (2007-2009), 3 years; 39-17 (69.6%)

Joe Seay (2006), 1 year; 16-8-1 (66.0%)

Ethan Reeve (1985-1990), 6 years; 57-38-1 (59.8%)

Mark Leen (1996-2001), 6 years; 43-35-1 (55.1%)

Ralph Manning (1991-1995), 5 years; 32-28-0 (53.3%)

Franky James (2002), 1 year; 9-8-0 (52.9%)

Terry Brands (2003-2005), 3 years; 31-33-0 (48.4%)

Russ Skall (1952), 1 year; 3-5-0 (37.5%)

Ken Carpenter (1947-1951), 5 years; 5-21-4 (23.3%)

Joe Geri (1968), 1 year; 0-8-0 (00.0%)

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

With family
- Photo2 by Wes Schultz