Meet the Coaches
Kevin DRESSER Head Coach 2 0 0 8 • 0 9 W R E S T L I N G
Third Season University of Iowa (1986)
A new era in Virginia Tech wrestling was kicked off on April 14, 2006, when Tech Director of Athletics Jim Weaver announced the hiring of former NCAA Champion Kevin Dresser as the Hokies’ new head wrestling coach. Dresser became the 12th man to lead the Tech program since its inception in 1920 and has made an immediate impact on the program. Now in his third season and with recruiting starting to take off, Dresser and the Hokies are beginning to see positive results from a young squad and program. In each of his first two seasons, he’s had a wrestler win an ACC title and named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the ACC Championsips. In 2007, it was Jon Bonilla-Bowman who won the ACC title at 157 pounds and last year Matt Epperly came out of nowhere to win the 165-pound class and advance to the NCAA Championships.
THE DRESSER FILE PERSONAL
Full Name: Kevin John Dresser Birthdate: November 9, 1962 Birthplace: Fort Dodge, Iowa
EDUCATION
High School: Humboldt H.S. (1981) College: University of Iowa (B.S. general studies, 1986)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2006-present: Head Coach, Virginia Tech 1996-06: Head Coach, Christiansburg (Va.) High School 1988-96: Head Coach, Grundy (Va.) High School 1986-88: Graduate Assistant, University of Iowa Virginia Tech Record: 13-21 (3rd season)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• NCAA Champion at 142 pounds in 1986 • Two-time NCAA All-American • Placed fourth at 142 pounds in 1985 • Two-time Big Ten Champion • 1986 Mike Howard Award at Iowa • Won 13 Virginia state wrestling titles at Grundy and Christiansburg high schools
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Dresser is a familiar name in the New River Valley as he was the head coach at Christiansburg High School for 10 seasons, winning the Group AA state title five times and claiming second place three times. Prior to his stint in Christiansburg, he led Grundy High School to eight titles in as many years. “Obviously, we’ve got a challenge in front of us,” Dresser said. “When I came to Grundy and Christiansburg, we had challenges, and I think we met those challenges there. This is what gets me up in the mornings.” A native of Humboldt, Iowa, Dresser was a two-time high school state champion at Humboldt High School. He graduated from the University of Iowa, where he won a national title in 1986 at 142 pounds. Dresser was a two-time All-American (placing fourth in 1985 at 142 pounds), as well as a two-time Big Ten champion. For his performance in 1986, he received the Mike Howard Award, given to the most valuable wrestler for the Hawkeyes. Dresser earned his B.S. in general studies from Iowa in 1986. He and his wife, Penny, have three children: Emma (10), Anna (8) and Jack (6). Penny Dresser is a native of Blacksburg, and the family resides in Riner.