Williamsburg, KY – After three seasons at the helm, Jordan Countryman has stepped down as Patriots head coach of the men's wrestling program.
 
Countryman was promoted to the head coaching role for the 2018-19 season. Since then, he has led the Patriots to a 31-8 record, the second-most wins by a coach in the program's 25-year history. He sits only behind Jess Wilder, who compiled 48 wins in his 10 seasons. Countryman also tied Wilder as the winningest coach with a .795 win percentage.
 
Since taking charge, Countryman led the Patriots to one loss in conference duals, accounting for 14 of the 21 consecutive conference wins from January 2017 to February 2021. The Patriots secured their second MSC Tournament win in program history in 2020, not long after being crowned regular season champions for the third straight year. The double top-finishes earned him MSC Coach of the Year in 2020.
 
In his tenure, Countryman has produced 14 MSC All-Conference selections and 11 NAIA All-Americans. In 2020, he saw wrestler Tres Leon become the program's seventh four-time All-American and third national champion since 2018.
 
"Jordan has made a big impact on the wrestling program and Patriots athletics in his time at UC," said Chris Kraftick, athletics director. "We wish him the best of luck on the next chapter ahead."
 
Prior to being elevated to head coach, Countryman served as a graduate assistant with the Patriots in 2017-18.

In addition seeing three national champions to the top of the podium, Countryman has helped coach and recruit Patriots standouts and All-Americans Aaron Johnson and Bryce Nickel. UWW Junior National Champion Weston Milnes and international competitor Justan Rivera also joined the Countryman's squad.
 
Countryman tallied several big duals wins over ranked opponents in his first season, including #2 Indiana Tech, #3 Life and #8 Lindsey Wilson. The team placed third at the NWCA National Duals that season, a year later finishing fourth at the NAIA Championships. that was their best NWCA finish since 2006.
 
A search for the program's sixth head coach is underway.
 
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