By Amanda Dahl
Purdue Sports Information
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue head wrestling coach Scott Hinkel has announced his resignation, effective immediately.
“Purdue University has been my home for most of my adult life, but there comes a time when you feel it is in everyone’s best interest to move away from home,” Hinkel said. “I appreciate the support I have received from everyone at the university and our fans. It is difficult to walk away from my wrestlers and fellow alumni, but I know they will persevere and do what they can to keep this program on the right track.”
Hinkel, who just completed his seventh season as head coach, posted a 74-57-2 record (.564 winning percentage). Highlights included a 23rd-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Championships and a sixth-place finish at the 2010 Big Ten Championships. He is the only head coach in Purdue history to post a winning dual record in each of his first three seasons.
Hinkel coached three All-Americans: Jake Patacsil (2009), Cashé Quiroga (2010) and Ivan Lopouchanski (2013).
At the same time, Hinkel elevated the academic success of the Boilermakers. The program achieved its first NWCA top 30 All-Academic team ranking in 2010, and his wrestlers earned 46 Academic All-Big Ten honors.
“Scott has worked tirelessly to build our wrestling program and elevate its popularity on our campus and throughout the community,” said associate athletics director Calvin Williams, who oversees the wrestling program. “He cares deeply about his student-athletes and their well-being both on the mat and in the classroom. It has been a pleasure working with him the last three years.”
Before being selected as head coach in 2007, Hinkel served as a Purdue assistant coach for 14 seasons.
As a student-athlete at Purdue, Hinkel earned All-America honors in 1987 at 126 pounds and received Academic All-Big Ten accolades, becoming the first of only two wrestlers in school history to accomplish both in the same season. He ranks first in school history in career falls (45) and second in career wins (127).
“Scott is a Boilermaker through and through,” athletics director Morgan Burke said. “He has been a tremendous ambassador for Purdue University for 25 years. In addition to his work with our wrestlers athletically and academically, Scott has been a strong advocate for the John Purdue Club and recruiting former student-athletes to join the Varsity P Club. I want to personally thank Scott for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best.”
A national search will begin for Hinkel’s replacement. Hinkel will serve in an administrative capacity with the athletics department through June 30. Assistant coaches Pete Rogers and Chris Fleeger will continue in their current roles pending the hire of a new head coach.