Rider head coach John Hangey on building a program with zero NIL money that still sends wrestlers to the podium. He breaks down the transfer portal strategy of taking "broken" Power 4 athletes, the tiered development system that produced six All-Americans, and why the David-and-Goliath identity inherited from Coach Gary Taylor is Rider's greatest recruiting tool.

Guest: John Hangey, Head Coach at Rider University Wrestling, 1993 NCAA All-American, Rider Athletics Hall of Fame

Topics: Zero NIL recruiting, developing homegrown wrestlers, portal transfers, small-school development, Gary Taylor's legacy, future of NCAA wrestling

🔗 Championship Fundraising Challenge — Raise $5K in 2 weeks or your money back: athletorlive.com/product/championship-fundraising-challenge

National Coach of the Year Donny Pritzlaff on how Columbia cracked the top 20 — without NIL, without a fancy facility, and without recruiting through the transfer portal. He breaks down the Cesar Alvan recruiting story, why he hired an "all iron fist" staff, and the recruiting philosophy that targets development over star power.

Guest: Donny Pritzlaff, Head Coach at Columbia Wrestling, 2026 NWCA Coach of the Year, two-time NCAA Champion at Wisconsin

Topics: Building a development program, recruiting without NIL, coaching to a wrestler's natural style, hiring assistant coaches, Cesar Alvan's All-American run, Ivy League wrestling

🔗 Championship Fundraising Challenge — Raise $5K in 2 weeks or your money back: athletorlive.com/product/championship-fundraising-challenge

Mike Van Brill went from 0-2 at States to three-time Big Ten medalist at Rutgers — and built one of college wrestling’s biggest brands along the way. He breaks down his upcoming RAF match against Jordan Oliver in Philly, the blood round mindset shift that saved his career, and why the business world is just another wrestling match.

Guest: Mike Van Brill, 3x Big Ten medalist, 3x NCAA qualifier (Rutgers), RAF featherweight competitor

Topics: RAF vs Jordan Oliver game plan, weight class management, flow state and gratitude in competition, building a wrestling brand, ClickFunnels and entrepreneurship, push-out rule debate

🔗 Championship Fundraising Challenge — Raise $500 in 2 weeks or your money back: athletorlive.com/product/championship-fundraising-challenge

On episode #164 of the Athletor Podcast, James Green joins the show to talk about his return to competition, life after injury, and what fuels his decision to keep wrestling at the highest level. As Assistant Coach at Nebraska and an active athlete, James opens up about balancing coaching responsibilities with his own training cycle, how his body has responded after hip surgery, and why he is still motivated to compete. He shares what this second chapter in his wrestling career means to him and why he is taking it one year at a time.

The conversation also dives into the technical side of the sport, with James offering sharp insight into freestyle trends, par terre scoring, edge wrestling, and how the international game continues to evolve. From strategy and data-driven decision-making to the day-to-day realities of coaching in one of the nation’s top rooms, this episode gives listeners a thoughtful look into the mind of one of wrestling’s most respected competitors and coaches.

In this episode, Ryan LeBlanc shares what it takes to lead and build a program at Binghamton. He breaks down the transition from his previous coaching stops and what stood out when stepping into a new environment. He explains how the university’s academic strength shapes recruiting and why bringing in the right student-athletes impacts culture, development, and long-term success.

LeBlanc also speaks on the day-to-day realities of running a program. He highlights the balance between competition, academics, and personal growth. He gives insight into how he evaluates talent, builds relationships, and sets expectations for his team. This conversation gives a clear look at how a head coach builds a strong foundation and develops athletes on and off the mat.

In Episode 162 of the Athletor Podcast, wrestling pundit Brock Hite breaks down how data, probability, and decision-making shape the sport. He explains how concepts like expected value and risk apply to wrestling, and why understanding these factors gives athletes and coaches an edge. The conversation builds on earlier discussions and gives a clear look at how strategy goes beyond effort and instinct.

Brock also shares how he views wrestling through a different lens, comparing fixed and dynamic variables across sports and competition. You will hear how this mindset applies to match strategy, in-match decisions, and long-term development. This episode gives you a practical way to think about wrestling with more clarity and purpose.

On this week's episode, we sit down with Franklin & Marshall College wrestler James Conway — one of the most compelling upper-weight stories in the country. James opens up about his late start in the sport, getting his footing through a steep learning curve as a freshman, and how a pivotal post-tournament conversation with his coach sparked a total mindset shift that launched him from a .500 record to one of the best in his weight class.

James gets real about the difference between chasing outcomes versus chasing growth — and how deliberately "brainwashing" himself to focus on process over results, applying to med school during his redshirt year, and building an ironclad daily routine all came together to fuel a breakout senior season. If you're a wrestler, a coach, or anyone trying to get out of their own way and compete at the next level, this one is for you.

Episode 160 of the Athletor Podcast features Hayden Hidlay, Assistant Coach at Stanford. Hidlay discusses the progress of the Stanford wrestling program and the momentum the team carries into the ACC Championships this season. He breaks down lessons learned from last year’s conference tournament, how preparation and travel adjustments affect performance, and why the ACC tournament brings a unique level of intensity due to frequent rematches and familiarity among competitors.

Hidlay also shares insight into building a competitive culture at Stanford, helping athletes handle the mental grind of postseason wrestling, and positioning the program to compete at a higher level nationally. The conversation covers strategy, preparation, and the details that separate a good tournament from a great one.

Episode 159 of the Athletor Podcast features Dom Santoli, Head Coach of Bergen Catholic. In this conversation, Dom shares what changed when he moved from assistant coach to head coach and how the role demands far more than match preparation. He explains the daily operational challenges, from managing parents and assistant coaches to handling school issues, recruiting, and the details behind the scenes that most people never see.

Dom also talks about putting kids first. He breaks down why development, accountability, and community matter more than wins alone. From building strong relationships with alumni and families to fostering a year-round wrestling culture, he gives insight into how Bergen Catholic continues to compete at a high level while keeping perspective on what high school sports are truly about.

In Episode 158 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Jamil Kelly, Assistant Coach at NC State and Olympic silver medalist, to talk about his evolution from elite athlete to program leader. While his competitive résumé speaks for itself, this conversation centers on his growth as a coach and the mindset shift required when you move from controlling your own performance to guiding the development of others.

Kelly shares insight on building culture in today’s era of NIL and the transfer portal, and how those changes impact recruiting, roster stability, and long-term program vision. He breaks down the challenge of finding athletes who align with a program’s philosophy and why culture still matters inside the Wolfpack room. This episode is a candid look at leadership, development, and what it takes to sustain success in modern college wrestling.