COACHING STAFF Casey
CUNNINGHAM 4th year at Penn State 13th year in collegiate coaching Central Michigan, ‘99
HEAD ASSISTANT COACH Casey Cunningham is in his fourth year on the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling staff. Named head assistant coach by Cael Sanderson in April of 2009, Casey is in his 13th as a collegiate coach. Cunningham served as Cael Sanderson’s head assistant coach at Iowa State as well. Prior to his one-year stint in Ames, he was head assistant coach at Central Michigan for seven years (20012008). During his tenure at CMU, he helped lead 18 Chippewas to All-American honors and 35 Mid-American titles. During Cunningham’s last season as an assistant, Central Michigan finished seventh at the 2008 NCAA Championships. CMU dominated the MAC during Cunningham’s time with the Chippewas, winning the last 10 regular season championships (including all seven during his run as an assistant). As a wrestler, Cunningham is among Central Michigan’s all-time greats. He capped off his collegiate career in 1999 by winning the 157-pound title in the Bryce Jordan Center, earning the school’s first Division I national title and only the second individual title in school history in any sport. The two-time All-American (he was national runner-up in 1998) won three MAC championships (1996, 1997 and 1999) and was twice named MAC Wrestler of the Year (1998 and 1999). Cunningham finished his Chippewa career with a 134-19 record. An accomplished international competitor, Cunningham won the 2008 Pan American Games silver medal and was two time U.S. Nationals and World Team Trials runner-up. An outstanding student, Cunningham was a four-time NWCA Academic All-American. Cunningham earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice from CMU in 1999. His wife, Tara (Nott), is an Olympic champion, having won the gold medal in weight lifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The couple has three sons, Hayden, Asher and Ryder and a daughter, Saige.
Casey Cunningham is entering his fourth year as Penn State’s Head Assistant Coach.
THE CUNNINGHAM FILE Birthday: Birthplace: Hometown: Alma Mater: Spouse: Children:
April 25, 1976 Carson City, Mich. Middleton, Mich. Central Michigan, ‘99 Tara Hayden William, Asher Michael, Ryder James, Saige Lee
COACHING EXPERIENCE * * * *
2009-Prsnt: Head Assistant Coach, Penn State 2008-2009: Assistant Head Coach, Iowa State 2001-2008: Assistant Coach, Central Michigan 1999-2000: Graduate Assistant, Central Michigan
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