Lehigh University Athletics
Men's Wrestling
- Title:
- Lawrence E. White '64 Head Men's Wrestling Coach
- Email:
- bjd8@lehigh.edu
- Phone:
- 610-758-4299
Former Lehigh All-American Brad Dillon was named Lehigh’s head men’s wrestling coach in June 2026. Dillon, a 2004 Lehigh graduate and two-year team captain, spent the last 18 years on Lehigh’s coaching staff, including the last 10 as Associate Head Coach. He holds the title of Lawrence White Head Coach of Men’s Wrestling.
Dillon worked alongside mentor Pat Santoro for the last 22 seasons, including four at Maryland and 18 at Lehigh. He is the ninth head coach in Lehigh men’s wrestling history
.
In his time at Lehigh, Dillon has proven to be one of the most versatile coaches on staff, working in the practice room with wrestlers from nearly every weight class. He has also assisted in the recruiting efforts that helped bring in nationally ranked recruiting classes at Lehigh, including the class that entered in the fall of 2012 that was ranked in the top three nationally. Dillon was instrumental in the development of Robert Hamlin, who went from NCAA qualifier at 174 as a freshman to a two-time EIWA Champion, three-time All-American and two-time NCAA finalist at 184 over his last three seasons. He has also aided in the development of two-time All-American Nathaniel Brown, who won an EIWA title at 174 in 2013 and reached the NCAA finals at 184 in 2015.
Over the last nine seasons, Lehigh’s top four weights have produced 16 EIWA champions and 10 All-Americans. Dillon helped Jordan Kutler earn three consecutive EIWA titles and three straight All-America honors. Ryan Preisch won an EIWA title and earned All-America honors, while Jordan Wood owns five EIWA championships and was a three-time All-American. Over the last three seasons, Michael Beard won back-to-back EIWA titles at 197 while Nathan Taylor and Owen Trephan won conference championships at 285. Beard (2024) and Trephan (2025) also earned All-America honors during that time.
In 18 seasons as an assistant coach, Lehigh won six EIWA titles and finished in the top two 15 times. The Mountain Hawks won four consecutive team titles from 2018-2021 and are coming off back-to-back EIWA team championships, bringing their league-leading total to 40.
With Dillon on staff, Lehigh crowned a pair of NCAA Champions, Zach Rey in 2011 and Darian Cruz in 2017. Twenty-nine wrestlers won a total of 47 EIWA titles, while 22 men earned 39 total All-American honors.
At the NCAA Championships, Lehigh wrestlers earned three or more All-America honors eight times, with a high of four in 2012. Lehigh also had five wrestlers recognized as All-Americans after the cancellation of the 2020 tournament. With Dillon on staff, Lehigh posted back-to-back top 10 NCAA finishes in 2011 and 2012 and finished in the top 15 at the national tournament 10 times.
Dillon amassed a record of 101-26 at Lehigh and ranks in the top 15 in school history for career victories. As a senior in 2004, Dillon set a school single-season record with 24 dual meet victories, and also had a record-string of 39 straight dual meet wins from 2002-2004. Dillon captured EIWA Championships at 174 in both his junior and senior seasons, and went on to earn All-American honors in each of his final two years, placing fifth in 2003 and fourth in 2004.
Prior to returning to Lehigh as an assistant coach, Dillon spent four seasons as an assistant at Maryland alongside Santoro. Their time in College Park was highlighted by an ACC title in 2008.
Off the mat, Dillon was an NWCA Academic All-American as a senior and was an Academic All-District At-Large selection. Before graduating with a degree in Biology, Dillon earned the Athletics Department’s highest honor when he was named Lehigh’s Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2004. Dillon was raised in Allentown, and graduated from nearby Parkland High School. He is married to Shelby Hoppis.
High School: Emmaus H.S., Parkland H.S.
College Career: Lehigh University 1999-2004
College Degree: B.S. Biology, Lehigh
Coaching Career: Asst. Maryland (2004-2008), Asst. Lehigh (2008-2026), Head Coach Lehigh (2026-present).
Career Highlights: Two-time EIWA Champion… two-time All-American… school record 39 dual match winning streak… Academic All-American.
