Jason Zastrow hired to lead University of the Ozarks
Former Wartburg wrestler and assistant coach Jason Zastrow has been announced as the first head wrestling coach at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. Zastrow graduated from Wartburg in 2007 and has coached at Central College along with his alma mater. Read below for more.
U of O Hires Wrestling Coach With NCAA Championship Experience To Start Its Program
Clarksville, Ark.-The University of the Ozarks has hired former Wartburg College assistant coach Jason Zastrow to begin its men’s wrestling program for the 2014-2015 season, it was announced Thursday by Athletics Director Jimmy Clark.
Zastrow, a native of Coon Rapids, Minn., brings NCAA Division III championship experience from wrestling powerhouse Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Ozarks, which announced its new men’s wrestling program in early May, lands an assistant coach from the most dominant NCAA Division III men’s wrestling program in the country. Zastrow served as the assistant from 2010-2013 where he helped the program to three consecutive NCAA Division III titles. The Knights also won three National Wrestling Coaches Association dual titles at the national level and three Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. The Knights posted a 56-1 record during his time there.
“His national championship experience will be extremely valuable to our program,” said Clark. “He has been a part of the most successful NCAA Division III men’s wrestling program in the country. We feel fortunate to have a coach of his caliber with national title experience. He understands the value of NCAA Division III, and the role it plays within the collegiate experience.”
During his tenure at Wartburg, the program produced seven individual NCAA Division III titles, 22 All-Americans and 17 Academic All-Americans. Wartburg won its fourth-straight NCAA Division III Championship in March to bring its total to 11 National Championships.
“It is an exciting time not only for me, but also for the university,” said Zastrow. “We will all watch the program grow together. Wrestling is gaining popularity in the state, and it is a perfect opportunity for the campus to grow with it.”
Zastrow wrestled at Wartburg four seasons and qualified for nationals his senior year. He is especially thankful for the opportunity to work at an NCAA Division III institution like Ozarks.
“I want my wrestlers to have the same good experiences I had as an NCAA Division III student-athlete,” said Zastrow. “There is an equal balance between being a student and being an athlete at this level. Students have the chance to receive one-on-one attention academically and athletically. But they need to be students first. I not only want guys that wrestle well, but I want them to be good students and respected citizens. I want student-athletes that we are pride of after graduation.”
Prior to Wartburg, he was the assistant coach at NCAA Division III Central College from 2007-2010, where he helped turn the program around. His first season as an assistant, the Dutch went 0-12, but by his third year, the program posted a ten-win season. After Central College, he went to Springdale Har-Ber High School, where he served as the assistant coach this year. In his one season there, the Wildcats won a conference title and finished third in the state championships.
“He was part of a successful rebuilding process at Central College,” said Clark. “I have full confidence he will start us off right. He has a passion for wrestling and understands the NCAA Division III philosophy. Wrestling will bring a new dynamic to our campus and I am glad Jason will be a part of that.”
Zastrow’s chance to start a new program was one of the many elements that made the Ozarks’ job attractive.
“Not many coaches have the chance to start a new program,” he said. “It is exciting for me to be a part of it. Our incoming class has the opportunity to be the first group to make an impact on the program. We want to build one block at a time, and then eventually produce All-Americans. I want our kids to have a championship lifestyle. I want to see growth in the program each day. If we can be better tomorrow than we were today, then I think the program is heading in the right direction.”
The university is in the process of renovating an on-campus aquatics area into a wrestling facility. Clark said Greg Hatcher, of Little Rock, has been instrumental in helping Ozarks establish a new wrestling program.
“We are thankful for everything Greg has done in order for us to begin our men’s wrestling program,” said Clark. “His impact has been tremendous.”
Zastrow received his bachelor’s degree in history from Wartburg College in 2007. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in athletic administration from Coker College. He and his wife, Jenny, were married in 2011.