In an email to this writer who authored the "Looking back at 2015: Other newsworthy stories" which mentioned his firing as one of the baffling developments of the year, Pariano wrote, "I am looking forward to the next chapter in my coaching/administrative career. The AD (athletic director) decided that a change was needed and I respect his opinion. I will come back an even stronger coach with a greater perspective on our sport, its future, and what we can do (as a wrestling community) to strengthen our brand. I absolutely love the competitive side of collegiate coaching and developing athletes is one of the most rewarding experiences any former wrestler-turned-coach can have. We are unique in that our coaches across all NCAA divisions have competed in the sport. We know the highs and lows that our athletes experience. We can help an 18-to-23 year old with what they are going through, whether it's on the mat or off the mat. Putting the athlete before yourself is paramount and being one-hundred percent accessible to the athlete is a prerequisite in wrestling. We have personal relationships that coaches in other sports may never experience or comprehend. It's what sets us apart …"
Drew Pariano (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)"I am truly grateful to Northwestern University, and yet I believe that my coaching career or a possible future in athletic administration is in some ways, just starting to take off…"
"Sometimes, people need to blaze new trails and escape from their 'home base' to continue to mature professionally. Northwestern was home to me for 15 of my last 20 years as both an athlete and coach. It's also imperative that I thank Tim Cysewski. Had it not been for Timmy, I would have never been at Northwestern as an athlete or as a coach. The man was and will remain a huge part of my life. Apart from calling Tim my coach, I get to call him my mentor, boss, co-worker, and most importantly, a great friend."
Pariano wrestled for Cysewski at Northwestern from 1995-1999, where he was a three-time NCAA qualifier as well as an academic All-American. He returned to the Evanston, Ill. Big Ten school as an assistant coach in 2005, then was promoted to associate head coach before taking the helm of the Wildcats in June 2010. During Pariano's tenure on the Northwestern coaching staff, the Wildcats could claim an Olympic wrestler (Jake Herbert, 2012), four NCAA champs, 24 NCAA All-Americans, and ten Big Ten champs.
"The program has experienced a plethora of injuries in the past few years and it's been difficult on the staff," Pariano continued. "Matt, Brandon, Conor and Tim all provide different experiences and they diversify the room. With increased health, each athlete in the program will greatly improve as the season takes shape. The current staff is very accomplished and they will have their best team out on the mat by the time March approaches."
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