From Jersey to Alabama: Coach Matt Oliver’s Wrestling Journey & Building Success at Huntington College

Airey Bros.'s Radio

On episode 288 of Airey Bros Radio, we step into the world of college wrestling with Coach Matt Oliver, head wrestling coach at Huntington College. With roots in New Jersey and a wealth of coaching experience across multiple levels, Coach Oliver dives into his journey from the Garden State to the heart of Alabama. He talks about building a competitive wrestling program at the D3 level, the challenges of recruiting in the South, the importance of academics, and why he believes Division 3 wrestling is the toughest in the country. Get ready for insights on the balance between coaching, recruiting, and developing young athletes both on and off the mat. Don’t miss this exciting episode filled with inspiration, tips, and a little bit of that classic pork roll vs. Taylor Ham debate!

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Show Notes (with sets & emojis)

0:00 – Introduction: Moving from New Jersey to South Carolina & Coaching Background 🌎🏅
0:08 – Early Coaching at High School level 🏫
0:14 – Family ties in the South & Greenville, SC Life 🌴👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
1:50 – Belly to Belly with Huntington College Wrestling: A deep dive into Coach Oliver’s accomplishments 🥇🤼‍♂️
2:17 – Matt’s accolades: 4-time NCAA Qualifier & NJ State Champion 🏆🏅
2:29 – Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham Debate: It's pork roll, folks! 🥪🥓
4:03 – The Coaching Journey: From assistant to head coach across multiple states 🏆🚀
5:27 – The transition from JUCO to D3 & coaching challenges at Huntington 📚🤼‍♂️
9:06 – Recruiting lessons: It's all about getting the right kids 🧑‍🎓👊
12:00 – Coaching at Huntington: Budget, challenges, and rebuilding a program 🏫💼
14:00 – Recruiting in the South vs. New Jersey, differences in approach 🌎🏅
22:10 – Building a legacy: Academics and athletics working together 🎓💪
35:00 – Growing up in New Jersey: Competing against familiar faces 🤼‍♂️
50:00 – Why Huntington College is a top choice for recruits 🏫🤼‍♂️🌟
57:00 – Final Thoughts & Reflections: The challenges and triumphs of college wrestling ⚔️🎓
1:00:00 – Final Four Questions: Coffee, cigars, guilty pleasures, and more ☕️🍂🥃💬

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