Joe Dubuque named head wrestling coach at Princeton

Joe Dubuque, a three-time NCAA All-American and two-time national champion wrestler who has spent the last 10 seasons on the coaching staff at Princeton University has been named the 11th head coach of Princeton Wrestling.

“I’m thrilled to name Joe as the head coach of Princeton Wrestling,” said Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack ‘00. “Rarely do you have the opportunity to hire a coach with Joe’s exceptional resume as both a coach and a wrestler. Most importantly, Joe has proven himself to be a tremendous leader for our wrestling program and someone who upholds the high values of our University.”

Since arriving at Princeton before the 2012-13 season, Dubuque has played an instrumental role in the recruitment and development of Princeton’s wrestlers. He has helped guide the Tigers to an Ivy League championship – its first in 34 years – in 2019-20 and has coached 14 All-Americans – including 2023 NCAA champion Patrick Glory.

Along the way, Dubuque has guided 10 Tigers to EIWA championships and four to Midlands titles. During his time on staff, Princeton has produced four of its top nine team finishes at the NCAA Championships including a 13th-place finish this past March in Tulsa to establish a new modern-day program record.

“I am extremely excited for this opportunity, it is absolutely my dream job,” said Dubuque. “I want to thank John Mack, Anthony Archbald, Chris Brock and the entire search committee for entrusting me with the future of such an amazing program. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the amazing alumni such as Rich Tavoso, Johnny Orr, Dave Crisanti, Chris Perez and the many others who believe in me and the program. I am thrilled to continue to work with Associate Head Coach Sean Gray as we identify, recruit and develop elite student-athletes with high goals on the mat, in the classroom and in our campus community. We’ve worked together for over 10 years and the addition of Quincy Monday to the coaching staff only strengthens our passion for Princeton University and Princeton Wrestling as a coaching staff. Lastly, I would not be in this position if it wasn’t for my friend and mentor, Chris Ayres, to whom I am forever grateful. It’s time to get to work Tiger Nation, LET’S GET WILD!”

Arriving on campus in 2012, Dubuque immediately made an impact on the Princeton program. By the time his first class of wrestlers graduated in 2016, he had helped Princeton secure its first EIWA champion and All-American in 13 years in Brett Harner ‘16.

After that 13-year drought, Dubuque has coached at least one NCAA All-American in each of the last seven seasons Princeton has competed – with five different wrestlers earning 14 All-America honors across six different weight classes. In 2022, Dubuque was part of program history when he coached a pair of Princeton wrestlers to the NCAA finals for the first time as Patrick Glory ‘23 and Quincy Monday’ 23 both represented the Orange and Black on the big stage Saturday night in Detroit.

One year later, Dubuque was in the corner as Glory became Princeton’s first national champion in 72 years when he defeated Purdue’s Matt Ramos, 4-1, in the title match.

Harner was also the first of 10 EIWA champions coached by Dubuque – all since 2016. Matthew Kolodzik ‘20 and Patrick Glory ‘23 made Princeton history under Dubuque’s tutelage, becoming the fourth and fifth three-time EIWA champions in program history with Kolodzik the first to do so since Bob Eberle ‘41 won three in a row from 1939-41. All total, 65 Tigers have earned EIWA podium finishes during Dubuque’s decade at Princeton. In four of the last six EIWA Tournaments where the Tigers have competed, Dubuque has helped Princeton to four third-place finishes.

Dubuque has been a part of Princeton’s “anyone, anywhere, anytime” philosophy, helping coach the first four Midlands champions in program history in Patrick Brucki (2018), Matthew Kolodzik (2018), Patrick Glory (2019) and Quincy Monday (2022) while guiding the Tigers to fifth-place finishes at Midlands in 2019 and 2020 to set new program highs.

He has also been instrumental in Princeton traveling the country for dual meets against top opponents including road trips to Iowa, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Nebraska while also notching wins against Big Ten foes Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern as well as victories over ACC rivals North Carolina and Virginia in addition to Pac-12 opponent Arizona State.

Under his direction, Princeton has been a key player in many national events including the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, the Grapple At The Garden at Madison Square Garden and Midland while also competing in an outdoor match against Rutgers in the Battle at the Birthplace and recently wrestling a dual meet against Oregon State at FloWrestling’s headquarters in Austin, Texas.

Before arriving at Princeton, Dubuque served as head assistant coach at his alma mater, Indiana, from 2009-12. He coached three All-Americans and 14 NCAA qualifiers during his time with the Hoosiers.

From 2006-09, he was an assistant at Hofstra where he coached 21 NCAA qualifiers and six NCAA All-Americans. In 2007, he coached seven national qualifiers and four All-Americans as the Pride finished seventh at NCAAs. During his three years on staff in Hempstead, he helped Hofstra to three CAA team titles and an 18-1 record in CAA dual meets.

What They Are Saying

“When I heard that the head coach position at Princeton had opened up, there was no doubt in my mind that Joe was the right man for the job. Not just because he was already the Associate Head Coach, but because he has consistently proven himself to be one of the best, if not the best, young coaches in the country. His passion for the sport, his drive for success and his support for the student-athletes under his charge sets him apart. I am proud to have been his college coach and even more proud to still have him as a friend.”

Duane Goldman; Head Coach of Indiana Wrestling from 1992-2018

“We are thrilled to have Joe Dubuque named the new head coach of Princeton wrestling. Joe joined the Princeton staff 10 years ago and has been an integral part of the program’s success.  As a two-time NCAA champion at Indiana and two-time New Jersey state champion, Joe brings with him an impeccable wrestling background. More recently, Joe added to his resume by coaching Pat Glory to an NCAA title. We look forward to working with Joe as he brings Princeton wrestling to even greater heights.”

Dave Crisanti ‘86; NCAA All-American and Two-Time EIWA Champion

“Joe brings an intensity that will enable the team to rise to the next level. The alumni of Princeton Wrestling are very excited to have Joe take the reins of the program and continue to develop top-quality wrestlers and students.”

Johnny Orr ‘85; Two-Time NCAA All-American and EIWA Champion

“I couldn't be more excited for the future of the Princeton Wrestling program in the Joe Dubuque era. Joe is a true master of the sport and leads by example both on and off the wrestling mat. I'm sure I speak for many alumni in saying his contagious energy and ability to connect with his student-athletes have been keystones of the Princeton Wrestling experience for over 10 years. The Tigers are in good hands.”

Brett Harner ‘17; NCAA All-American and EIWA Champion

“Now that it’s official, I want to congratulate Joe Dubuque on becoming the new Head Wrestling Coach at Princeton. Coach Dubuque has already dedicated so many years to this program to get it to where it is today, and I am so glad that he has decided to commit even more time and effort in continuing to strive for greatness. Without him I personally wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goals, and I know the same can be said about the goals of the program. I can’t wait to see the program reach new heights under his leadership, and I know that the future is bright!”

Patrick Glory ‘23; NCAA Champion, Four-Time NCAA All-American and Three-Time EIWA Champion