Coaches

HEAD COACH BOB MOORE

Bob began wrestling at age 10 in Randolph N.J. After wrestling at Randolph H.S., he attended (CCSU) Central Connecticut State University (1980 – 1984) He placed 2nd in the New Englands, and placed 3rd in the NCAA Eastern regional tournament. Coach Moore has been recognized by USA Wrestling being inducted into the Texas USA Wrestling Hall of Fame. In October of 2010, Bob was given the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Coach Moore began his coaching career immediately after finishing his wrestling eligibility at CCSU, by coaching at Wethersfield H.S. in Connecticut. After 2 seasons, Bob followed his fiancé to Texas to get married and start a family. Bob was an assistant coach for 2 years each, at Austin Reagan H.S. and Austin Lanier H.S., before becoming the founder and president of the Austin Police Activities League Wrestling League for kids and then the Austin Amateur Wrestling Association(AAWA). These program provided the Central Texas area with it’s first organized youth wrestling program. While running the AAWA Bob was also the Texas USA Wrestling Central Regional Director for 4 years . Bob retired from wrestling for a short few years and returned to become the Head Coach for the Texas Longhorn Wrestling Team.

COACH NICK GANCI

Nick was born and raised  in Austin, Texas.  He began wrestling in middle school with the Austin Police Activities League Wrestling League, the league  Coach Bob Moore founded.  He wrestled in high school at Lanier High School where he qualified for state 3 times, placing 4th his senior year.  Nick was a walk on at the U.S. Air Force Academy Wrestling team for a year before returning to Austin.  Nick worked as a referee for 3 years and then got involved with the University of Texas Wrestling program.

COACH MATT PEARSON

Matt began his competitive wrestling career at the age of five in north central Minnesota and continued to wrestle through High School in Minnesota. After taking a short break from wrestling, coach Pearson began wrestling again while in college and began training with the community college in Tucson, Arizona. Coach Pearson’s college career was cut short due to a career change and a move to Columbia, South Carolina, but he did not forget about wrestling. Coach Pearson began wrestling for a competitive Senior level club competing throughout the southeast in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco Roman. After another career move coach Pearson ended up in Austin, TX where he has been the assistant coach for the University of Texas Longhorns for three years.

COACH ANDY PETERSON

Andy has 16 years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate level. He has coached 3 California high schools, 1 North Dakota high school and 1 Virginia high school as both an assistant and head coach placing multiple athletes at the state championships in all three states. including two top ten teams in California – Granite Hills High School – 92-94, North Dakota, Red River High School, 97-99, and Virginia, 02-04.  Along with high school wrestling, Andy was involved with the University of North Dakota wrestling program from 94-97 a perennial top 15 DII program.

Andy is married with 4 kids including two sons who wrestle in high school and middle school here in Austin.

COACH MARK STRUM

Mark wrestled at Emmetsburg, IA in High School where he was a 3x Iowa High School State place winner, and his high school was 2x team state champs. After high school, Mark wrestled at Wartburg College in Waverly IA. He was a 2x Collegiate All-American a 3x Academic All American and twice his team finished as the National Champions.

Mark has coached  all ages ranging from youth wrestling, to high school, and some college. He has also been a featured clinician at numerous wrestling camps across the country

Mark furthered his post undergrad education at Indiana University, where he volunteered as a high school coach.  He is currently an Optometrist, in Georgetown, TX (Georgetown Vision Center). His passion for the sport has let him to continue giving back to the sport and volunteer with the UT program.