Grady Peninger
April 28, 1927 - Present
Only once, in a span of more than 30 years, did the NCAA team title escape from the states of Oklahoma and Iowa. And it took a native Oklahoman, Grady Peninger, to carry the trophy off to Michigan State. His 1967 Spartans, featuring individual champs Dale Anderson and George Radman, provided just one of the highlights of his 40-year career.
He reached national prominence while still in high school in Tulsa, winning the state championship and the first of two National AAU crowns during his senior year of 1945. After a two-year hitch in the Navy, he enrolled at Oklahoma State, and was an NCAA finalist in '49.
He entered high school coaching at Ponca City, Oklahoma, and in eight years guided three state champion teams. His stars included Shelby Wilson and Doug Blubaugh, who went on to earn Olympic gold medals and win their way into the Hall of Fame.
In 1960, he was called by Michigan State to assist, soon to succeed, Fendley Collins at the helm. Peninger's teams dominated the Big Ten Conference, winning seven consecutive titles starting in 1966. He was voted national coach of the year after the '67 triumph. He was the first Big Ten coach to develop a three-time NCAA champion, Greg Johnson, and a four-time NCAA finalist, Pat Milkovich. Don Behm was an Olympic silver medalist, and Tom Milkovich, won four conference titles.
In all, he produced 43 conference and 11 national champions, 90 Big Ten medalists and 46 All-Americans. His Spartans won 213 of 330 dual meets and enjoyed 23 consecutive winning seasons.
Peninger was president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. While serving on the NCAA rules committee, he pushed through an expanded consolation bracket in 1986, and the double elimination format in 1995, each creating more opportunity for the wrestlers.
His goal always has been to provide greater opportunity for wrestlers to succeed. In recognition of such leadership, Grady Peninger is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Awards:
Year
1987
|
Award
Distinguished Member
|
Chapter/Region
National
|
All American Awards:
Season
1949
|
School
Oklahoma State
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
121
|
Place
2
|
All Coaching Dual Records:
Season
1986
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
17
|
Wins
4
|
Losses
12
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
23.53
|
Season
1985
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
14
|
Wins
8
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
57.14
|
Season
1984
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
15
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
5
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
66.67
|
Season
1983
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
14
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
4
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
71.43
|
Season
1982
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
14
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
4
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
71.43
|
Season
1981
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
14
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
7
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
50
|
Season
1980
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
20
|
Wins
11
|
Losses
8
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
55
|
Season
1979
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
20
|
Wins
13
|
Losses
7
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
65
|
Season
1978
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
13
|
Wins
6
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
46.15
|
Season
1977
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
18
|
Wins
9
|
Losses
9
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
50
|
Season
1976
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
14
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
7
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
50
|
Season
1975
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
16
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
62.5
|
Season
1974
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
16
|
Wins
12
|
Losses
3
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
75
|
Season
1973
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
11
|
Wins
6
|
Losses
4
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
54.55
|
Season
1972
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
12
|
Wins
11
|
Losses
1
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
91.67
|
Season
1971
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
12
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
3
|
Ties
2
|
Win PCT.
58.33
|
Season
1970
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
17
|
Wins
16
|
Losses
1
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
94.12
|
Season
1969
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
11
|
Wins
9
|
Losses
2
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
81.82
|
Season
1968
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
13
|
Wins
9
|
Losses
4
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
69.23
|
Season
1967
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
11
|
Wins
9
|
Losses
1
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
81.82
|
Season
1966
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
12
|
Wins
10
|
Losses
2
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
83.33
|
Season
1965
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
11
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
3
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
63.64
|
Season
1964
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
11
|
Wins
5
|
Losses
5
|
Ties
1
|
Win PCT.
45.45
|
Season
1963
|
School
Michigan State
|
Division
Division I
|
Duals
10
|
Wins
7
|
Losses
3
|
Ties
0
|
Win PCT.
70
|
Season
Career
|
Duals
336
|
Wins
213
|
Losses
113
|
Ties
10
|
Win PCT.
63.39
|