Dalton Rohrbaugh, head wrestling coach
In the latest episode of 'WildCast', podcast host Matt Blymier, assistant director of athletics for compliance and athletic communication, interviews Dalton Rohrbaugh, the head wrestling coach at Penn College.
Rohrbaugh, in his first year as a head coach, led the wrestling team to an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship. The team went on to have five podium finishers at regionals, with one – senior Noah Hunt – advancing to nationals.
“It was already a great group of guys here, … and we started having fun as we wrestled, and I think that really helped us this year,” Rohrbaugh said.
Himself a collegiate wrestler competing in the NCAA finals just two years ago, Rohrbaugh discusses the challenges of being a young head coach.
“It’s tough at first, because I started questioning a lot of the calls that I was making. But I kind of had to get rid of that really quickly because that’s just not in the best interest of my guys,” he said.
The coach discusses his coaching philosophy – showing his student-athletes he cares about them as people first and wrestlers second – and focusing on accountability. He also shares his strategies for recruiting student-athletes, memorable moments from his first season, and his goals for the future of the wrestling program.
“WildCast” – produced by Penn College Athletics – offers in-depth conversations and gives die-hard fans, proud alumni and passionate parents an insider's look at what it takes to succeed as a Wildcat. New episodes are being released weekly throughout the summer.