Updated: April 30, 2014
By Bethany College Sports Information
Bethany College announces the hiring of Cody Garcia as the new Head Wrestling Coach.
“I am very excited that Cody Garcia has accepted our offer to become the second Head Men’s Wrestling Coach in the program’s history,” said Dean of Athletics Dane Pavlovich. “His passion for wrestling, connections to the current team, and relationships with coaches all over the Midwest make this a tremendous situation for both the Wrestling Program and the Department of Athletics. I look forward to the success that Cody will lead the Swedes to both on and off the mat.”
Garcia has served as an assistant wrestling coach for the Swedes for the past three years. In 2014, the Swedes finished 20th at the NAIA National Championships, where Colby Crank was the 149 weight class runner up. Seven total individuals qualified for the National Championships, the highest number in program history.
“It is truly a blessing for me to get the chance to serve this brotherhood in a new role,” Garcia said. “They have inspired me to follow this path through their support and trust in me, as well as their commitment to the program. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to continue to have an active role in encouraging these young men through our shared passion of wrestling.”
Garcia came to Bethany from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he served as a student assistant wrestling coach. While at UNO, Garcia coached the 2011 squad to a NCAA Division II National Championship.
Prior to coaching, Garcia was a member of the UNO wrestling team, winning individual national championships in 2006 and 2008, runner-up in 2010, and finishing third in 2009. His team won National Championships in 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010. He was a four-time All-American and Academic All-American, graduating in 2010 with a 147-18 record, the fourth-highest number of all-time career wins at UNO since 1966. His 48 wins as a senior ranked as the second-highest number in school history, and Garcia set new UNO records of 84 career pins and 31 single-season pins.
Garcia was a three-time high school state champion and four-time state place finisher at Hutchinson High School, where he wrestled for his father, Mike.
From 2012-2014, Garcia has participated in the Kansas Premiere Wrestling Club as a head coach and instructor the supplementary club program and international coaching. In 2012-2013, Garcia also served as a Head Camp Clinician, developing, instructing, and implementing a wrestling curriculum for over 60 camps in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. In addition, Garcia was a Kansas National Team Coach in 2006-2008, 2010, and 2013, serving as a camp counselor, instructor, and coach for the national team camp and competition.
Garcia holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with an endorsement in physical education and health education. He resides in Hutchinson with his wife Kym and two daughters.