Troy Steiner to lead Fresno State's reinstated wrestling program

Former University of Iowa NCAA champion Troy Steiner has accepted a new challenge.

Steiner, the current associate head coach for Oregon State, will be in charge of helping resurrect a fallen program.

Steiner confirmed he is the new head coach for the Fresno State wrestling program and will be introduced at a press conference Wednesday. Fresno State cut its wrestling program in 2006, but reinstated it with plans to start competition for the 2017-18 season.

'That is one of the things that intrigued me about the position,' Steiner said. 'The President was the driving force to bring it back. There is a ton of support there. That is one of the things that intrigued me and building it, seeing what I can do.'

Steiner has been a longtime assistant, serving on Jim Zalesky's staffs at Oregon State (2006-16) and Iowa and coached at Wisconsin, Minnesota and his first stint with the Beavers in 1995-96.

The challenges of starting a program from scratch are plenty.

'Any job you take over there are challenges,' Steiner said. 'I don't care where it's at. There are a different set of challenges here.

'It all comes down to building relationships with people. Build the relationships and start the recruitment process. People are going to know that you are there for them. You have to share the vision with them and get them excited about the program.'

Steiner was a four-time All-American for the Hawkeyes, going 148-13 at 134 and 142 pounds from 1990-93. He captured a national title in 1992, posting a 42-0 mark. He was a three-time Big Ten Conference champion. Steiner was also an accomplished freestyle wrestler, making nine U.S. national teams, winning the 1992 World Cup and 1996 Pan-American Games.

The Bismarck, N.D., native was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a member of the Hawkeye program with twin brother, Terry, who is the U.S. women's freestyle team.

The hope in the wrestling community is that Fresno State's return will help provide a boost to the Division I scene.

'It's a big job, not just for that program, but I think for wrestling in general,' Steiner said. 'There aren't too many programs bringing wrestling back and if I can do this thing right and get this thing going I think other institutions will look at possibly bringing wrestling back as well.

'I look forward to taking on that challenge and helping the sport grow.'

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