Thursday, March 26, 1998

Competitor to coach: McCoy adjusts to new vocation

By CRAIG KACKENMEISTER
Collegian Sports Writer

CLEVELAND -- At this time last year, Penn State's Kerry McCoy stood on top of the NCAA Championship podium and received his first-place medal as the heavyweight national champion for the second time in his illustrious career.

McCoy returned to the championships this past weekend in Cleveland, not to defend his title, but to help coach nine other Nittany Lions to a hopeful championship.

"It feels kind of weird," McCoy said. "This is the first NCAA Championship I have been at since my freshman year I really didn't have a vested interest in. Now I can truly watch as a spectator and let go of the competitive aspect."

Former Lion wrestler Kerry McCoy leaves the mat after chalking up a victory by forfeit in a 1996 match against the Hawkeyes. McCoy, who took an assistant coaching position with the team after graduation, is also training for the 2000 Olympic Games to be held in Sydney, Australia. (Collegian File Photo - click for full size image)

If people have seen McCoy in action as a coach, they would never notice a loss in his competitive aspect. He can be seen giving his wrestlers some advice before their matches while loosening up their bodies. And during the match, he can be heard yelling instructions like "stay low" and "score points." He can also be heard letting the referees know if they missed something.

"There's a couple different guys I am a little closer with because I work more direct with them throughout the season," McCoy said. "I slap them in the face to make sure they're awake, because in this tournament you got to be ready from the first whistle."

After one of the assistant coaching spots opened up two years ago, Lion head coach John Fritz asked McCoy if he would be interested in the position after his collegiate career. Obviously, McCoy accepted and Fritz couldn't have been happier.

"He's tremendous working with the kids," Fritz said. "He has been there and done that and knows what kind of commitment it takes. When he works with a guy and tells him what they have to do, they understand."

One wrestler who understands McCoy's advice is 167-pound Glenn Pritzlaff. He said McCoy communicates well with the team, especially in championship situations.

"He's an extremely helpful coach," Pritzlaff said. "Youngest coach on the squad, he's recently been through what we are going through and how to communicate well to us."

McCoy is currently training to make the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and said coaching at Penn State is helping him stay on top of his training.

If he makes the Olympics, he said he would take a year off and decide if he wants to continue coaching or move on.

As for now, Penn State fans can continue to watch one of the top wrestlers in the history of the program share his skills outside the wrestling circle.