Jeff Breese
Head Coach Jeff Breese said, "I am thrilled to be only the second wrestling coach in the history of Lake Erie College Wrestling. This program is a unique and exciting opportunity on so many levels. I want to thank former Head Coach Kevin Hoogenboom for building a great foundation and tradition. The goal is now to build on that and create new history for Lake Erie College."
Director of Athletics Kelley Kish stated, "After an extensive national search, we found the right fit to lead our Wrestling Program in Jeff Breese. His record of coaching an NCAA Champion, 9 All-Americans and 30 National Qualifiers is stellar and aligns with the Championship vision we have for the program. Jeff's vision for the academic and campus achievements of our student-athletes excites us all about the future of Storm Wrestling."
In his four years at Buena Vista University Breese has helped produce a pair of IIAC Freshmen of the Year, as well as one national qualifier in 2014-15. BVU had its highest NCAA finish that season since 2010. During his tenure, he's also coached five Scholar All-Americans.
In 2015, Breese's squad was honored with the Beaver Service Award as the most active team on campus with civic engagement. BVU Wrestling also finished just outside the Top 30 in the NWCA Scholar Team Awards with a 3.1 team GPA.
Prior to coming to BVU as just the program's fourth head wrestling coach, Breese served as the director of operations at his alma mater of North Carolina State University since 2012. During his time there, he has managed the team's budget and coordinated its travel schedule. He also co-directed social media and video promotions, developed a satellite camp system and a match film system, and directed match day events and activities, among other duties.
In addition to his time as a member of the Wolfpack, he was the first head wrestling coach in program history at Penn State New Kensington. He created the first varsity wrestling team in 2009 and recruited 15 student-athletes for that inaugural season. He also fundraised and facilitated the construction of the wrestling room at Penn State New Kensington.
He began his career in the coaching field in 2006 at Seton Hill University where he spent two years assisting in starting up the university's wrestling program. He then became the first head coach at Penn State New Kensington in 2009 before moving to Division I Northern Illinois University as an assistant coach in 2010.
Throughout his coaching career, he has coached 22 NCAA Qualifiers, including one national champion, and three All-Americans. He's also had a hand in four top-30 national recruiting classes, including one ranked in the top-5.
A 2006 graduate of North Carolina State University, Breese was a three-year starter for the Wolfpack and a member of their 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship Wrestling team.
Coach Breese concluded, "I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity by President Posler, Athletic Director Kelley Kish and the entire search committee."
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