Distinguished Member Jackson named USA Wrestling's National Freestyle Development Coach
By Gary Abbott
USA Wrestling
Olympic champion, two-time World Champion and respected coach Kevin Jackson has been named National Freestyle Development Coach for USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States.
Jackson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2003.
He will work within USA Wrestling’s National Teams Department, and on the staff of USA Wrestling’s National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick and alongside newly hired Manager of Freestyle Programs Joe Russell, who received the Medal of Courage from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007.
Jackson will be working with USA Wrestling’s elite age-group freestyle wrestlers, including launching the new Elite Accelerated Program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He will also assist in coaching U.S. freestyle wrestlers on the Senior level. Jackson will start with USA Wrestling after the July 4 holiday.
“It’s my pleasure to announce and welcome Kevin Jackson and his family to USA Wrestling’s freestyle staff. Kevin comes back to USA Wrestling with a mountain of experience including three gold medals as a competitor, having coached World and Olympic champions, as well as several years as a head coaching experience in collegiate and international roles. His knowledge and experience will deepen the pool of thought from which to grow the National Team Developmental and Senior athletes, our Elite Accelerated program at the Olympic Training Center, as well as bring additional philosophies to bear. It’s a great opportunity when I’m able to add someone of Kevin’s caliber to our staff,” said National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick.
It will be Jackson’s second stint on the USA Wrestling National Coaching Staff. Jackson previously served as USA Wrestling’s National Freestyle Coach from 2000-2008, and as the National Freestyle Resident Coach from 1998-2000.
“We are excited to welcome Kevin Jackson back to the USA Wrestling family. Kevin’s character and reputation in the sport is impeccable. We are confident that he will have a huge influence on the establishment and continued development of our Elite Developmental Program,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
“I am excited about the opportunity to come back to USA Wrestling. They were some of the best years of my life, in regards to my family, and some of the most fun times, being in Colorado Springs and coaching Team USA with USA Wrestling. I have many friends there and family in the area. In the big picture, I had to make a decision where I could make the biggest impact on wrestling in this country. USA Wrestling is where I believe I can make the biggest impact,” said Jackson.
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USA Wrestling
Olympic champion, two-time World Champion and respected coach Kevin Jackson has been named National Freestyle Development Coach for USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States.
Jackson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2003.
He will work within USA Wrestling’s National Teams Department, and on the staff of USA Wrestling’s National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick and alongside newly hired Manager of Freestyle Programs Joe Russell, who received the Medal of Courage from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007.
Jackson will be working with USA Wrestling’s elite age-group freestyle wrestlers, including launching the new Elite Accelerated Program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. He will also assist in coaching U.S. freestyle wrestlers on the Senior level. Jackson will start with USA Wrestling after the July 4 holiday.
“It’s my pleasure to announce and welcome Kevin Jackson and his family to USA Wrestling’s freestyle staff. Kevin comes back to USA Wrestling with a mountain of experience including three gold medals as a competitor, having coached World and Olympic champions, as well as several years as a head coaching experience in collegiate and international roles. His knowledge and experience will deepen the pool of thought from which to grow the National Team Developmental and Senior athletes, our Elite Accelerated program at the Olympic Training Center, as well as bring additional philosophies to bear. It’s a great opportunity when I’m able to add someone of Kevin’s caliber to our staff,” said National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick.
It will be Jackson’s second stint on the USA Wrestling National Coaching Staff. Jackson previously served as USA Wrestling’s National Freestyle Coach from 2000-2008, and as the National Freestyle Resident Coach from 1998-2000.
“We are excited to welcome Kevin Jackson back to the USA Wrestling family. Kevin’s character and reputation in the sport is impeccable. We are confident that he will have a huge influence on the establishment and continued development of our Elite Developmental Program,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
“I am excited about the opportunity to come back to USA Wrestling. They were some of the best years of my life, in regards to my family, and some of the most fun times, being in Colorado Springs and coaching Team USA with USA Wrestling. I have many friends there and family in the area. In the big picture, I had to make a decision where I could make the biggest impact on wrestling in this country. USA Wrestling is where I believe I can make the biggest impact,” said Jackson.
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