Alex Tirapelle returns to Stanford as volunteer assistant coach

Photo: Bob Drebin, ISIPhotos.com. courtesy of Stanford Athletics.

STANFORD, Calif. – Former Stanford wrestling assistant coach Alex Tirapelle has rejoined the staff as a volunteer assistant coach, head coach Jason Borrelli announced today.


“We are thrilled to welcome Alex back to our program, as he is one of the best coaches and wrestling minds in the country,” said Borrelli. “Alex epitomizes our program's Cardinal Caliber values and I have zero doubt that our student-athletes will benefit tremendously from his direction.”


Tirapelle served as an assistant coach for Stanford from 2010-14 before becoming the head coach at Penn (2014-17). While on The Farm, Tirapelle helped guide the Cardinal to its best dual-season record in school history with a 17-5 mark in 2013-14. That year’s team sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Championships – tying a then-school record. Four of the five NCAA qualifiers were Pac-12 champions, also a school record.


“During Alex's previous stint on The Farm, he was part of a stretch that saw us hit numerous program milestones. We look forward to having him be a part of even more milestones in the future, starting this March in Cleveland,” added Borrelli.


In his four seasons at Stanford, Tirapelle helped coach 14 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, including Stanford’s second three-time All-American and first two-time finalist in Nick Amuchastegui. The Cardinal earned five total All-America honors during Tirapelle’s tenure, including three at the 2011 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia – the highest All-America output at any NCAA Championships by a Stanford squad. The three All-Americans in 2011 propelled the Cardinal to an 11th-place finish overall, the highest team finish in program history.


During his tenure at Penn, Tirapelle went 21-18 in duals and had 13 wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships, including All-American Casey Kent in 2016.


Tirapelle will be with the Cardinal on Sunday at the Reno Tournament of Champions. Stanford will have 13 wrestlers in the tournament and an additional four wrestling unattached.