In this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Coach Corey Ruff, the head wrestling coach at the University of the Cumberlands. With a coaching career spanning over two decades, including building Lindsay Wilson from the ground up and leading UC to a dominant NAIA program.

Coach Ruff shares his journey, philosophy, and vision for taking the Patriots to the next level.
🔹 How to build a powerhouse college wrestling program
🔹 The importance of culture & recruiting the right athletes
🔹 How UC provides elite wrestling at an affordable cost
🔹 The growing strength of Kentucky wrestling
🔹 Life, leadership, and coaching wisdom from one of the most passionate minds in the sport

Whether you're a high school athlete, a college wrestling fan, or just love hearing inspiring coaching journeys, this episode is packed with insight, energy, and motivation.

🔥 Listen now on all podcast platforms! 🔥
🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more athletes!


Show Notes with Timestamps

0:00 - Intro & Why We Do This

• The mission of Airey Bros Radio 🎙️
• Expanding into NAIA, JUCO, & D2/D3 wrestling
• Why alternative college paths matter for student-athletes

4:00 - Welcoming Coach Corey Ruff

• His background & coaching journey
• From Lindsay Wilson to the University of the Cumberlands
• The importance of stability & building a program from scratch

10:00 - Wrestling Culture & Growth

• How UC Wrestling is building a winning culture
• The importance of consistency in coaching staff & facilities
• The impact of Kentucky wrestling & the growing scene

18:00 - Recruiting & Building a Team

• What kind of wrestlers UC is looking for 🤼‍♂️
• The value of NAIA wrestling & the scholarship advantage
• How international recruiting is shaping the future

28:00 - Competing with the Best

• The challenge of facing Grand View & Life University
• What it takes to compete at the highest level in NAIA
• The goals for UC Wrestling moving forward

38:00 - Coaching Mindset & Athlete Development

• The mental game in wrestling 🧠
• How Coach Ruff develops his wrestlers beyond the mat
• The importance of passion, discipline, & leadership

50:00 - UC’s Unmatched Resources & Opportunities

• Why UC is one of the most affordable options for college athletes
• State-of-the-art training facilities & year-round wrestling development
• How UC supports student-athletes beyond wrestling

1:05:00 - Looking Ahead: Nationals & The Future of UC Wrestling

• Who to watch in the NAIA tournament 🔥
• How UC is preparing for conference & nationals
• The vision for UC Wrestling & recruiting future champions

1:20:00 - Fun Final Four Questions 🎤

• Coffee or pre-match ritual? ☕
• Daily practices for success
• Music, books, and podcasts Coach Ruff is into right now
• Guilty pleasure – a little tobacco talk!

🔥 Subscribe & Follow for More Wrestling Content! 🔥

📲 Follow UC Wrestling: @patriotwrestling