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    Morin named head wrestling coach at Southern Maine

    GORHAM, Maine - After five seasons as assistant coach, former Husky All-American Michael Morin has been named the head coach of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' wrestling program. Long-time University of Southern Maine Director of Athletics Al Bean announced the appointment of Morin who replaces former head coach Joe Pistone who stepped down this spring.

    "Mike Morin is the perfect choice to be our next head coach and to take on the leadership of the USM wrestling program," noted Bean. "First, he is an exceptional young man and has gained valuable experience as an assistant coach the past couple of years. Mike was an All-American, perhaps the best wrestler to ever wear a USM singlet, qualified as a Scholar All-American and is a great role model for our team members. He will be an excellent motivator and leader and has the benefit of having long-time assistant coach Julio Santiago returning as associate head coach. Mike and Julio will continue to work together to train and field one of New England's most competitive wrestling teams and will challenge our student-athletes to be the very best they can be on the mat, in the classroom and in the community. My thanks to Joe Pistone for his fine work as head coach and best wishes to him as he moves on to build the program at Florida Gulf Coast."

    Recently named the 2015 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Assistant Coach of the Year, Morin has been on the Huskies' sidelines since the completion of his career in 2010. The most decorated wrestler in Southern Maine history, Morin has helped develop and recruit several of the USM's top performers over the last five seasons, including two-time All-Northeast Region champion Jonathan Deupree (Ozona, Fla./Countryside) and Elite 89 winner Daniel Del Gallo (Gardiner, Maine).

    "I am extremely excited that Coach Morin has been named the next Head Wresting coach of the USM program," said Pistone. "After being involved as a student-athlete and assistant coach for nearly a decade, he is the most fit to carry on the academic and athletic excellence that the USM Wrestling program has been known for since its inception in 1997. With quality returners, a strong incoming recruiting class, a competitive schedule and a revamp in the coaching staff, it is a very exciting time for the University of Southern Maine Wrestling program. I am confident that Coach Morin's staff and leadership will bring the program to new and exciting heights."

    The most decorated wrestler in Huskies' history, Morin earned All-American honors in 2009 and 2010, becoming Southern Maine's first wrestling All-American. Additionally, Morin is the first USM grappler to earn three consecutive bids to the NCAA Division III National Championship tournament, winning the New England regional championship three consecutive seasons from 2008 through 2010.

    A two-time captain (2009, 2010), Morin is the all-time leader in wins posting a remarkable 133-21 record during his four-year career for a .863 winning percentage. Morin had a pair of 40-win seasons as a junior and a senior, earning a 40-2 record in 2008-2009 and a 44-5 record in 2009-2010.

    "I'm very excited for this opportunity and the chance to continue working with our student athletes," said Morin. "As a former University of Southern Maine student-athlete, and assistant coach for the last five years, I am very familiar with both the university and it's wrestling program and the hard work and dedication needed to achieve on the mat and in the classroom. Coach Pistone has done a great job building this program, and I look forward to taking over for him."

    A 2010 graduate from Southern Maine with a degree in Business Administration, Morin is a two-time NWCA Division III Wrestling Scholar All-American (2010, 2009) and a three-time William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete. Morin also works full-time as a Service Sales Representative at Cintas Corporation, a position he has held since 2011. Morin has also served as the head coach of the Casco Bay Elite Wrestling Club since 2011.

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