PAT SANTORO NEW LEHIGH WRESTLING COACH!!!

[ngineer]

Former Lehigh assistant (1994-03) and two time NCAA wrestling champion Pat Santoro is returning to Lehigh after turning around a moribund Maryland Terrapin program to become the University's 8th Wrestling coach in its storied history. HC Greg Strobel has been appointed to an administrative position in the Athletic Department that will oversee all of the many camps and programs operated at the University, as well as the Athletic Partnership program.

Many Lehigh alums were speculating that Santoro would return, but not this soon. (Myself, I figured two years, thinking Strobel would want to gather the fruits of the past two recruiting seasons, which were pretty good, in addition to some returning redshirts). However, timing is everything when opportunities arise, and Santoro had an 'escape clause' in his Maryland contract in the event the Lehigh job became available.

I expect this will have an electric effect in Bethlehem, PA..Santoro's hometown, where he starred at Bethlehem Catholic and later at Blair Academy. He was three time All-American and two-time National Champion for Pitt in the late 1980's.

[Franks Tanks]

Former Lehigh assistant (1994-03) and two time NCAA wrestling champion Pat Santoro is returning to Lehigh after turning around a moribund Maryland Terrapin program to become the University's 8th Wrestling coach in its storied history. HC Greg Strobel has been appointed to an administrative position in the Athletic Department that will oversee all of the many camps and programs operated at the University, as well as the Athletic Partnership program.

Many Lehigh alums were speculating that Santoro would return, but not this soon. (Myself, I figured two years, thinking Strobel would want to gather the fruits of the past two recruiting seasons, which were pretty good, in addition to some returning redshirts). However, timing is everything when opportunities arise, and Santoro had an 'escape clause' in his Maryland contract in the event the Lehigh job became available.

I expect this will have an electric effect in Bethlehem, PA..Santoro's hometown, where he starred at Bethlehem Catholic and later at Blair Academy. He was three time All-American and two-time National Champion for Pitt in the late 1980's.


Was Strobel forced out, or was this really a voluntary retirement for him? Either way sounds like a great catch and a natural fit for both Lehigh and Santoro. How much does the Head Wrestling Coach at Lehigh make??? Always wondered about salaries of college wrestling coaches.

[ngineer]

Was Strobel forced out, or was this really a voluntary retirement for him? Either way sounds like a great catch and a natural fit for both Lehigh and Santoro. How much does the Head Wrestling Coach at Lehigh make??? Always wondered about salaries of college wrestling coaches.


Not at all. Strobel has a ton of good will and respect. The 'off year' was expected with only two seniors and a boatload of freshman and 'redshirt' freshman. Santoro will be inheriting some very good talent. Strobel is almost 60 and that's getting 'long in the tooth' for a wrestling coach, who usually is 'down on the mats' doing some coaching. He said he was looking for some type of administrative position for the past couple years, and when the school created this new position within the Athletic Department he saw it as a natural fit for him. He'll be in charge of all of Lehigh's sports camps, of which there are now many, as well as the Lehigh Athletic Partnership which will involve fundraising and alumni relations, of which he is great, if you've ever met him. I thought he'd want to stay HC to gather the fruits of the recent recruited classes, but 'timing is everything' as they say. Santoro is a natural fit and such a transition shouldn't bother the newly recruited class.