Pearch to coach Aurora University
Justin Pearch has been named head men’s and women’s wrestling coach at Aurora University. The Illinois school plans to begin competition in both sports in the fall of 2021. Pearch has been coaching at Aurora Christian School and has led the Eagles to three top-three finishes, including the 2018 title, in the Illinois 1A state championships. Pearch competed for the University of Oregon where he was a 2007 NCAA qualifier.
AU selects Pearch to lead men’s and women’s wrestling programs
Aurora University announced the hiring of Justin Pearch as the Head Coach of the Aurora University men’s and women’s wrestling programs. He was selected to build both programs with the men’s program returning to AU following an over three decade hiatus and the women’s program being new as it is among the NCAA’s emerging sports. The AU men’s and women’s wrestling teams will take to the mat and begin competition in the 2021-2022 season, becoming AU’s 23rd and 24th collegiate sports.
“For the first time we completed a job search remotely and even with this alteration, the best candidate for the position was easily recognized. Justin Pearch is the ideal wrestling coach to start the women’s and men’s programs,” said Director of Athletics Jim Hamad. “His recruiting connections and proven success in developing and instructing wrestlers is going to be beneficial in building the foundation. We expect these programs to meet the standard of excellence that has been established in the department and Justin will build AU Wrestling into a nationally recognized brand.”