“Purdue wrestling is heading in an amazing direction,†Maple said. “I think what Coach Ersland and his staff have done in the last few years has been remarkable and I want to add to that. I want to be known as someone who has added to the success of Purdue wrestling and the program becoming a powerhouse.
“Everything that Coach Ersland says he is going to do is lining up,†Maple said. “Things are happening here. It's his work ethic and how much he puts into Purdue wrestling; you can tell he's passionate about what he does. That's someone I not only want to work with, but learn from. I'm not a ‘yes man', I like to work and that's what this staff is all about.â€
During his two seasons, Maple had the opportunity to coach his former teammate and friend Cody Brewer to the 133-pound title at the 2015 NCAA Championships. He also coached Brewer to his fourth All-America honor in 2016 with a third-place showing at 133. Brewer also claimed back-to-back Big 12 Conference titles with Maple on the coaching staff. Maple also coached Ryan Millhof in a Big 12 title run and All-America finish at 125 pounds in 2016.
Wrestling for the Sooners from 2009 to 2014, Maple became one of the most successful grapplers in program history. The three-time All-American owned a 127-25 (.836) career record, with his 127 wins ranking sixth all-time at Oklahoma.
The pinnacle of Maple's career in Norman came with a 31-0 campaign and the 141-pound NCAA title as a redshirt junior. Over 60 percent of his wins from the 2012-13 season were with bonus points (8 MD, 4 TF, 7 F), including a pair of major decisions and a pin at the NCAA Championships.
“Kendric was guy that could always go out and get points,†Ersland said. “The year he won his national title and went undefeated, 19 of his matches were with bonus points, which says a lot about him not being satisfied with coasting to a win, he was going to score points and keep the pedal down. That's what we talk about with being always aggressive.â€
As a redshirt senior in 2014, Maple bumped up to 149 pounds and became the Sooners' 25th three-time All-American with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. His earned his first All-America status by taking fourth at 141 pounds in 2012.
Not only was Maple decorated on the national scene, but also in the Big 12 Conference. He captured and defended the 141-pound title in 2012 and 2013, respectively, before taking top honors at 149 in 2014.
His success was not limited to the mat. Maple excelled in the classroom earning NWCA Division I All-Academic Team accolades three times (2012, 2013, 2014), twice was named Academic All-Big 12 first team (2013, 2014) and was an Academic All-Big 12 second-team selection in 2012.
In his final season, Maple was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Division I At-Large Team and was awarded the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and the Big 12 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship.
“I'm extremely excited for Kendric to join our staff,†Ersland said. “He is a great fit for us and what we're trying to do both from the standpoint of mentoring these young men as well as the wrestling mindset that we are trying to foster in the room. He exemplifies both as a person and as a competitor.â€
The Wichita, Kansas, native, obtained his Master of Education in adult and higher education, with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletic administration, from Oklahoma in May 2015. He received a bachelor's degree in heath and exercise science in May 2013. He and his wife, Jordin, have a son, Kiner.
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