LITTLE ROCK -- Little Rock Director of Athletics Chasse Conque announced this week the hiring of Neil Erisman as the first head wrestling coach of the Trojans' new program.
The university's athletic department is in the process of adding wrestling as its 15th intercollegiate program. Erisman has mentored 20 NCAA All-Americans and four individual champions during his coaching career at Oklahoma State and North Carolina, two of the nation's top Division 1 programs.
"We had tremendous interest in the position, and we feel coach Erisman is the right person to lead our program at Little Rock," Conque said. "Neil brings a deep understanding of the sport, a passion for leading young men and a commitment to doing things the right way, giving us great confidence that bright days are ahead for Little Rock wrestling."
"My family and I would like to thank Chasse Conque, Chancellor Andrew Rogerson and the UA Little Rock community for welcoming us to the Trojan family," Erisman said. "I am very excited for this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to getting to Little Rock to begin my work as the Trojans' first head wrestling coach."
Erisman has spent the past four seasons at the North Carolina. The Tar Heels have an overall record of 41-28 during that time, finishing third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2015-16 and 2017-18.
The four ACC individual champions and NCAA All-Americans include Troy Heilmann and Ethan Ramos, who both claimed titles in the past season. North Carolina tied for 20th place in the NCAA Championships for the program's best finish since placing eighth in 1995.
The Tar Heels posted recruiting classes ranked in the top 10 in each of his first three seasons.
"I have been privileged to spend four seasons at the University of North Carolina, working with my great friend and head coach Coleman Scott," said Erisman. "I want to give a very special thank you to coach Coleman Scott, Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, Vince Ille, the Tar Heel coaching staff and the entire support staff for their constant support during my time at UNC. Chapel Hill will always hold a special place in our hearts and is a place we were proud to call home."
"It's definitely bittersweet for me," Scott said. "I couldn't be happier for a better coach and person. Neil was a huge part of what we've been able to do here at UNC. Without him and his family's dedication to the program, I don't think we could be where we are today. With that said, I am super happy for Neil and his family to get a chance to run a brand new Division I program."
"Coleman Scott assembled a young, talented and aggressive staff, and Neil played a key role in all aspects of our program," said Ille, North Carolina senior associate athletic director. "Neil was instrumental in establishing the culture and building the team that we want at North Carolina. He has earned a great opportunity in Little Rock, and we could not be happier for Neil and his family."
Erisman spent one season as an assistant coach at Stillwater High School in Oklahoma. The Pioneers won the 2014 Oklahoma 6A state championship and Erisman was named the 2014 Oklahoma High School National Team Coach.
His coaching career began at his alma mater, serving as a graduate assistant coach at Oklahoma State from 2011-13 under coach John Smith. He was 92-36 as a four year letterwinner for the Cowboys from 2007-11. He was the 2011 Big 12 Champion at 157 pounds after placing second in 2010 and third in 2009, being named an Academic All-Big 12 selection in 2008.
"Coach Erisman is one of the great young coaches in our sport," said Pat Smith, former Oklahoma State assistant coach. "It's very exciting to see that he will be spearheading the new wrestling program at Little Rock."
Little Rock's inaugural season is planned for the 2019-20 academic year.
"I am excited about Neil Erisman becoming the new head coach at Little Rock," said Greg Hatcher, founder of the Arkansas Wrestling Association. "As a former Big 12 champion wrestler at Oklahoma State and a coach at North Carolina, he has learned from the best how to build a competitive national program. He has the organization, energy, drive and tenacity to build Little Rock's inaugural team."
Sports on 06/22/2018