Pat Popolizio (right) signed a seven-year contract with NC State (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)North Carolina State head wrestling coach Pat Popolizio got an unbeatable present for his birthday this week: a new, seven-year contract that extends through June 2025.
The Board of Trustees of the Raleigh-based school approved the new contract for Popolizio, who just completed his sixth season at the helm of the Wolfpack wrestling program.
Financial terms of the new contract were not disclosed.
The 2017-18 season was Popolizio's best yet at NC State. He led the team to its first Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title since 2004. At the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, the Wolfpack placed fourth in the overall team standings. Two wrestlers made it to the finals -- an NC State record -- with Michael Macchiavello winning the 197-pound title. Four wrestlers returned to Raleigh with NCAA All-American honors. For these accomplishments, Popolizio earned 2018 ACC Coach of the Year honors, and placed second in the nation in balloting for 2018 InterMat Coach of the Year.
"Pat has proven that NC State wrestling can compete at the highest levels, including winning the ACC and finishing in the top five nationally," said Director of Athletics Debbie Yow. "Our future is bright with Pat at the helm of NC State wrestling."
Prior to being named head coach at NC State in 2012, Pat Popolizio had directed the mat program at Binghamton University in upstate New York for six seasons, and served two years as lead assistant at American University. Before launching his coaching career, Popolizio wrestled at Oklahoma State.
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