“Naming Daniel Associate Head Coach is a natural progression of his involvement in the Gardner-Webb University wrestling program. First, as a student-athlete where he was a national qualifier, and most recently as an assistant coach, Daniel has worked tirelessly to improve his own skills and the abilities of the student-athletes on our wrestling team,†stated Chuck Burch, Vice President for Athletics. “As Associate Head Coach, along with our Head Coach, Dick Wince, and Graduate Assistant Conor Beebe, I am confident that Daniel's number one goal will be the continued development of the wrestling program.â€
Elliott begins his fifth season with the Gardner-Webb program, having served the last three seasons as an assistant coach. Elliott served as a graduate assistant for his first two years on the GWU wrestling staff following a stellar collegiate career for head coach Richard Wince.
Since moving over to the bench as a coach, Elliott has seen at least one GWU wrestler make it to the NCAA Championships in each of the last four years, including Dustin Porter who has reached the NCAA Championships in each of the last four years. Fellow GWU grappler Rob Tate reached the Championships in 2006-07, earning the Runnin' Bulldogs lone victory at the national event.
Elliott, who is in charge of the practice schedules and working with the student-athletes on the mat, has worked hard in raising money for the GWU Wrestling program and its new building. His fundraising efforts have allowed the Runnin' Bulldog wrestling program to move into a new building, which when fully renovated will be one of the nicest wrestling only facilities in all of NCAA Division I with offices, locker room, team room, bathrooms and a large practice area.
During his career for the Runnin' Bulldogs, Elliott was a two-time NCAA Qualifier. He was also a two-time regional champion at 149. In his last regional meet, Elliott was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler. He finished the regular season with a record of 39-2 during his senior campaign and was ranked 10th in the nation in the final standings.
Elliott holds the school record for career wins, single-season wins in addition to consecutive wins. He also led the team in each of his last three seasons in takedowns.
Elliott graduated in May 2006 with a double major in history and communications. Elliott then went on to earn his masters in sports sciences and pedagogy from Gardner-Webb in the summer of 2008.
“This is a natural step in Daniel's progression toward being a great college head coach,†commented Coach Wince. “His work ethic and dedication are exceptional.â€
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