#FreestyleFriday: USA Wrestling National Team coaches’ profiles
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by Taylor Miller, USA Wrestling
It’s always good to know who is leading your favorite teams, so today, we’re giving you a short history and breakdown of the USA Wrestling men’s freestyle National Team coaches.
Learn more about Bill Zadick, Joe Russell and Kevin Jackson and their athletic and coaching achievements.
Bill Zadick – National Freestyle Head Coach
In 2016 after the Rio Olympics, Zadick was hired as the USA’s Freestyle Head Coach. He is the fifth full-time head coach for the program.
Since taking over the program, the U.S. men’s freestyle team won its first World Team title in 22 years and the squad has collected seven gold medals, three silver medals and seven bronze medals in three World Championship appearances.
Prior to his head coaching gig, Zadick served as the USAW Assistant National Coach (2015-16), USAW National Freestyle Developmental Coach and Assistant National Freestyle Coach (2011-14), USAW Resident Coordinator and Assistant National Freestyle Coach (2009-10) and volunteer assistant coach for the University of Iowa (2003-04).
During his four years working with the USA age-group teams (2011-2014), the USA won eight Cadet World medals, nine Junior World medals and 10 medals at the University Worlds or University World Games. Included were Cadet World champions Adam Coon, Zain Retherford, Aaron Pico, Spencer Lee, Mason Manville and Mark Hall, Junior World champion Kyle Snyder and University World champions Tyler Caldwell and Tyrell Fortune.
Zadick will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member next summer.
Below are Zadick’s achievements as an athlete:
- 2006 World champion
- Two-time World Team member (2001, 2006)
- Seventh at 2001 World Championships
- Bronze at 2007 Pan American Championships
- Two-time Olympic Team Trials runner-up (2000, 2008)
- 1996 NCAA champion for University of Iowa
- Two-time NCAA All-American
Joe Russell – Manager of Freestyle Programs
After six seasons as the head coach at George Mason University, an NCAA Division I school, Russell was brought on as USA Wrestling’s Manager of Freestyle Programs in May 2017 with amazing coaching credentials.
While at GMU, Russell led his team to 41 dual victories and helped six wrestlers to eight NCAA Championship bids.
Prior to his arrival at George Mason, Russell was a longtime assistant coach at the University of Minnesota where he helped guide the Gophers to three NCAA team championships and six Big Ten championships. In addition, he coached 11 individual NCAA champions, 31 individual conference champions and 84 NCAA All-Americans. He was also the Regional Training Center coach at Minnesota, coaching athletes in the international styles.
Before taking on the role at USA Wrestling, Russell helped coach at multiple international-level events, including U.S. Cadet Greco-Roman World Team in 1999 and 2013 as well as three Junior Pan American Championship teams in freestyle and Greco-Roman (2002, 2004, 2014).
In 2007, Russell was awarded the Medal of Courage by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which is given to a wrestler or former wrestler that has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges, providing inspiration to others. In 1985, Russell was partially paralyzed after suffering a motorcycle accident. He recovered from the injuries suffered in the accident to lead an inspiring life on and off the mat.
As a competitor, Russell wrestled collegiately for the University of Minnesota from 1988 to 1992. He was named team captain during his senior year, on top of acquiring Academic All-Big Ten honors. He was also presented the Dean Fraser Most Courageous Wrestler Award while at Minnesota.
Kevin Jackson - National Freestyle Developmental Coach
In the summer of 2017, Jackson joined USA Wrestling as the National Freestyle Developmental Coach. It is his second stint as a coach with USA Wrestling.
Since returning to USAW, Jackson has helped several Cadet, Junior and Senior-level athletes to World medals, including 14 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze.
In his first stint as USA Wrestling, Jackson served as the National Resident Freestyle Coach, where he worked with Olympic champion Brandon Slay among others. In 2001, he was promoted to National Freestyle Coach, and led the USA through two Olympic cycles, including the 2004 Olympic Games and 2008 Olympic Games.
He also served as a coach for Iowa State (assistant coach and head coach), Arizona State (assistant coach), Sunkist Kids (head freestyle coach) and USA Wrestling (head freestyle coach, resident coach and development coach).
Jackson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2003.
Below are Jackson’s athletic achievements:
- 1992 Olympic champion
- Two-time World champion (1991, 1995)
- Four-time World Team member (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995)
- Fourth at 1993 World Championships
- Two-time Pan American Games champion (1991, 1995)
- Two-time Pan American Championships gold medalist (1990, 1991)
- 1987 NCAA champion for Iowa State
- Three-time All-American for Louisiana State
