ESU names Jason Kutz head wrestling coach
6/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Wrestling
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“It was a tough decision,” said Kutz. “Obviously Lehigh has treated me really well through the years. It just boiled down to me wanting to be a Division I head coach and wanting to put my own mark on a program.”
“It’s the perfect opportunity for Jason to go on to be a head coach,” said Lehigh head coach Greg Strobel. “Our mission when we brought Jason back to Lehigh, was to get him into coaching, get him back east and learn how to coach so he could move on to be a head coach somewhere.”
A native of
After earning his bachelors degree in Biology, Kutz joined the Army, rising to the rank of staff sergeant while competing for the U.S. Army team based in
On leave from the military, Kutz returned to his alma mater to work with the Lehigh lightweights. Under Kutz’ guidance Cory Cooperman became a three-time EIWA Champion and All-American, while Matt Ciasulli twice qualified for the NCAA Championships at 133 pounds. This past season Kutz helped Matt Fisk become the first true freshman NCAA qualifier at Lehigh in the Greg Strobel era.
“The chance to be a head coach at
Kutz takes over an East Stroudsburg Program that went 10-9 in duals last season and placed 11th at the EIWA Championships.
“It’s a great situation,” Kutz explained. “I’m looking forward to moving up there and working with a very young team, which I something I can really build upon.”
With Kutz’ departure, four Mountain Hawk assistants in the last four years have moved into head coaching positions. Chris Ayres was named head coach at Princeton last week, while Kerry McCoy and Pat Santoro have established strong programs at Stanford and
