Hunter Named Permanent Head Coach for Illinois

On Thursday afternoon, the University of Illinois wrestling team was informed that Jeremy Hunter has been named the team’s permanent head coach.

The previous head coach, Mike Poeta, has been under indefinite administrative leave since December 19th. At the time, the school’s Division of Intercollegiate Athletes announced that the university is investigating a potential violation of his contract because of “possible noncompliance with University fiscal control policies.”

Since the original announcement, Hunter has served as the program’s acting head coach.

With Hunter at the helm as the acting head coach, Illinois has gone 7-3 and finished tenth in the nation in InterMat’s dual rankings.

Hunter has been a staple of the Illinois wrestling program, joining the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in 2001-02. During his time on staff, he’s seen four wrestlers combine to win six NCAA titles. In 2005, Hunter assisted on Illinois’ Big Ten championship-winning squad.

Poeta, a three-time All-American and two-time national finalist for Illinois, closes his tenure as Illinois' head coach with a 28-29 record. He oversaw a pair of wrestlers who combined to earn All-American honors three times. Last season, 133 lber Lucas Byrd won a Big Ten and NCAA title at 133 lbs. It was the first national championship by an Illinois wrestler since 2016.

The school's announcement states that they are still working through the terms of Poeta’s departure.

Hunter will lead the Illini into the Big Ten Championship in just over a week.