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    T.R. Foley •

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    Foley: Henson leads pack of assistant coaches

    The job of an assistant wrestling coach is nearly indefinable. Like the head coach, the assistant coach works as part-time nutritionist, second-string doctor, team psychologist, occasional travel agent, data input manager, and occasionally, if there's time: wrestling technician. Quality assistant coaches need to also work well with their head coaches who themselves are pulled in several directions by generating donations, ensuring NCAA compliance and, oh-by-the-way, winning matches. Finding a partnership that works for both head coach and assistant can mean the difference in a happy wrestling room, and a losing one.

    The best of the best (there are a few hundred Division I assistant coaches) make champions despite the myriad ancillary jobs they're responsible to perform. Their paycheck, like the head coach's, is dependent on wins and losses; if the techniques are sound, the advice correct (Think: Sonny in Godfather) and the work ethic in place, these assistants will have the opportunity to make their own assistants miserable with work someday.

    The five coaches on the list have each defined themselves as worthy of recognition. While some may aspire to be a head coach, others will continue on as assistants, comfortable in helping to create champions. But right now they are each having an impact.

    Leading the Pack

    Sammie Henson (Photo/Morgan Hennessy)
    1. Sammie "The Bull" Henson (Oklahoma)The former two-time NCAA champion has arguably been more successful as a college coach than he was a college competitor. Yes, he's been floating from program to program like a thieve on the lam for the past dozen years, but in all those miles he racked up an impressive list of lightweight champions: Chad Mendes, Michael Lightner, Sam Hazewinkel, Josh and Scott Moore, Paul Donahoe, et. al. Henson's intensity is legendary and seemingly always transferred to his grapplers. There is nothing coincidental about his arrival in Norman and the Sooners impressive 2009-2010 turnaround.

    2. Chris Owens (Boise State)
    Somebody is responsible for Boise's success. While Greg Randall deserves the largest chunk of Blue-hued praise, Owens has been his assistant for 15 seasons and has earned recognition. (If you are Googling "Chris Owens Boise State" don't feel bad. Half the college wrestling community couldn't pick him out of a two-man lineup.) Owens has been there for it all: he was on board for Kirk White, he was on the payroll for Ben Cherrington, and he is currently coaching a very large and intimidating Kirk Smith. I don't know how to define his role more than to point and tell you to pay attention this season as the Broncos compete for an NCAA team title.

    Donny Pritzlaff (Photo/Tony Rotundo, Tech-Fall.com)
    3. Donny Pritzlaff (Wisconsin)The easiest connection to Pritzlaff's coaching success is Andrew Howe's recent NCAA title, but the 2006 World bronze medalist and two-time NCAA champion has been an assistant coach since graduating as a Badger in 2002. He spent three years on Long Island where he and Tom Ryan paired up to produce a slew of All-Americans and CAA championships. The New Jersey native is proving to be an excellent recruiter across the country, helping to pull big ticket names like Tyler Graff and Ben Jordan. And if we are to believe the rumors, he may have a chance to secure the nation's No. 1 recruit, Destin McCauley. Maybe head coach Barry Davis saw the impact Pritzlaff was having on the program and named him associate head coach in the summer of 2009.

    4. Carl Perry (Illinois)
    The man who beat Schwab. Remember? That was 10.5 years ago, but that same fight can be seen in his wrestlers. He's well-respected enough to have survived the recent coaching change in Urbana-Champagne. Perry guided Poeta to two NCAA finals and you can see that same gritty style in current Illini star Jimmy Kennedy. He'll be mentioned for future head coaching positions because his resume is filling up fast.

    5. Josh Moore (Kent State)
    From recruiting to budgeting to technique, Moore has been at the tip of the spear for the newly emergent Golden Flash. Working alongside head coach Jim Andrassy, the team has matured from an epic All-American drought (23 years) into a squad capable of besting perennial class of the MAC, Central Michigan. The past few seasons have seen All-American titles coming back to Kent State, many of them at the lighter weights. There's no doubt he'll get a crack at a head coaching position sometime in the next two seasons.

    Others

    Brad Dillon (Lehigh)
    He's been at Santoro's side at Maryland and now in Lehigh. He's disciplined, successful and well-respected by his athletes.

    Mark DiSalvo (Central Michigan)
    Talented and hard-working Central Michigan alumnus has been crucial in helping head coach Tom Borelli create a championship caliber team every season.

    Casey Cunningham (Penn State)
    Coach Cael brought him to Happy Valley, which should make Nittany Lion fans, well, happy.
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