B-W Selects Gibbs
As suspected given his recent resignation from UNC-Pembroke, Jamie Gibbs has been named as the new head coach at Baldwin-Wallace after five years at UNCP. He is the first ever full time head coach at the school in Berea, Ohio. See the press release from B-W Athletics below. This leaves three vacancies in Division III, including Muhlenberg, Springfield, and The College of New Jersey. d3wrestle.com has, however, learned that Muhlenberg has selected their coach but not yet made an announcement as to who it is. As soon as that is released, you can read about it here.
Baldwin-Wallace Colleges Hires Jamie Gibbs as its First Full-Time Head Wrestling Coach
BEREA, OHIO — Baldwin-Wallace College has named Jamie Gibbs as its first full-time Head Wrestling Coach. He replaces Rich Fleming, who served the College with distinction the past 24 seasons as its part time head coach.
Gibbs comes to the College after serving as the head wrestling coach at NCAA Division II the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for the past five seasons.
“We are excited that the College has made the commitment to hire its first-ever full-time head wrestling coach,” said Director of Athletics Kris A. Diaz. “We feel that the addition of Coach Gibbs and our excellent location in the “hot bed” of high school wrestling will allow us to build upon the successful tradition established by legendary coaches John Summa and Rich Fleming and take the program to the next level. We feel that once Coach Gibbs establishes his program that we will expect to challenge for the Ohio Athletic Conference title each season and have additional opportunities for national recognition.
“Coach Gibbs has led programs that have been recognized academically and have built individual and team success, and that is what we expect from all of our programs at B-W and that is what Division III athletics is all about,” continued Diaz. “We welcome Jamie and his family to Baldwin-Wallace and our athletics family.”
While at UNC-Pembrooke, Gibbs mentored seven NCAA Division III All-Americans and eight student-athletes to NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) Division II All-Academic team. Overall, 16 of his student-athletes made appearances at the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament. Individually, Gibbs’ teams compiled a 51-40 dual meet record in five seasons and posted its best finish by being ranked 11th during the regular season and tied for 17th at the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship tourney.
Prior to UNC-Pembrooke, Gibbs served as an assistant coach at Coe College in Iowa for four years and as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin at Lacrosse. Both of the teams are traditional powerhouses in NCAA Division III.
“I am honored to be the first full-time wrestling coach at Baldwin-Wallace College and am excited for the opportunity to continue the tradition and success that was established by coaches Summa and Fleming,” said Gibbs, who officially begins his duties on August 1. “I am looking forward to building an OAC champion and national power in Berea.
“I had a desire to return to the NCAA Division III level as well as the Midwest,” said Gibbs. “Coaching at B-W not only fulfills that wish, it also allows me to coach in a strong wrestling conference and in an area where there is an abundance of talented student-athletes who love the sport of wrestling.” added Gibbs. “My family and I are excited to join the Yellow Jacket family and are looking forward to many years of success and happiness.”
In two seasons as a collegiate competitor at Coe, Gibbs was a an All-Iowa Conference wrestler and a two-year starter and captain. Prior to Coe, he attended Iowa Central Community College and was a national qualifier. Gibbs received an associate degree from Iowa Central C.C., a Bachelor of Arts degree from Coe and a Master of Science degree in exercise sports science from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse.
Jamie and his wife, Jana, have a son, Bodey. They are currently in the process of relocating to the Cleveland area.
FOR MORE B-W Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu. or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu Fans can access the latest B-W athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter athttp://twitter.com/bwathletics