Gannon University Men's Wrestling

Gannon University assistant wrestling coach Tom Boyd assumed the role of head coach on July 1, 2023 with the retirement of long-time head coach Don Henry. Boyd was an All-American wrestler at Gannon in 1991 and began serving as Henry's assistant in 1995. He's been with Gannon ever since and now follows his long-time mentor, boss and friend into the Golden Knights' top spot.   "We are excited to announce the promotion of long-time assistant and Gannon men's wrestling alum Tom Boyd to the position of head men's wrestling coach," commented Gannon Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk on April 27 upon Henry's retirement announcement.. "Tom has served as an integral part of our program's success and rise to national prominence. Coach Boyd is committed to both our department and student-athletes' pursuit of excellence in all facets – academics, athletics, and the community. We are confident that our student-athletes and men's wrestling program will continue to excel under his leadership." "I am honored and humbled to be chosen to carry on what Coach Henry has dedicated himself to over the past 39 years," Boyd said. "He truly is a legend in the sport of college wrestling and has touched many lives."   "When I pondered retiring, Tom Boyd was the only person I wanted to hand off the program to," said Henry. "He has been a great asset to me and the wrestling teams over the past 20-plus seasons. I knew that he would be a great head coach last year when I could not travel to the NCAA Super Region tournament. He led the team to a second-place finish, with eight NCAA qualifiers. "He has been the voice of reason, a sounding board, and the planner for all of the trips. He is logical, disciplined and truly loves Gannon University and wants to elevate the wrestling program even higher. He will do great things as the head coach." Boyd, 53, came to Gannon as a wrestler in 1987 and excelled under Henry's guidance. He became Gannon's first wrestler to be ranked No. 1 nationally, and he was an All-American in 1990-91 when he placed sixth at 134 pounds at the NCAA Division II Championships. Boyd posted a 77-22-3 career record, including a 32-4-3 mark in dual meets. His overall winning percentage of .770 ranks fourth in Gannon history, and his dual meet winning percentage of .859 ranks fifth. During his senior season in 1991-92, he went 29-3-1, including a 15-0-1 mark in dual meets. After graduating from Gannon with a degree in Biology, Boyd attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport College, where he received his doctoral degree. Boyd and his wife, Christine, practice at Boyd Chiropractic Clinic in Erie. Both have served as chiropractors and consultants for athletic teams as well, including the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League and several indoor football teams. Christine was a standout in volleyball at Gannon.   Boyd began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach at NCAA Division III Augustana (Ill.) College for three seasons (1992-95). He joined Henry's staff in 1995 and has been a key member of the coaching staff ever since during the Golden Knights' ascent on the national stage.   Throughout the years he has helped Henry develop many top wrestlers, Division II national qualifiers, and All-Americans. He has been instrumental in helping the wrestlers excel on the mat, in the classroom, and in the community beyond their years at Gannon.   "I want to thank Dr. Keith Taylor, Dr. Walter Iwanenko, Athletics Director Lisa Goddard McGuirk for this opportunity to lead the Gannon men's wrestling team," Boyd said. "I also want to thank my wife, Christine, for being a part of this journey. I know that, with Coach Zack Schafer, Coach Jared Merritt, and the strong support of the Gannon Wrestling Alumni, we are ready to continue our pursuit of winning a Division II National Championship."    After graduating from Gannon with a degree in Biology, Boyd attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport College, where he received his doctoral degree. Boyd and his wife, Christine, practice at Boyd Chiropractic Clinic in Erie. Both have served as chiropractors and consultants for athletic teams as well, including the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League and several indoor football teams.   The native of North Kingsville, Ohio began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach at NCAA Division III Augustana (Ill.) College for three seasons (1992-95). He joined Henry's staff in 1995 and has been a key member of the coaching staff ever since during the Golden Knights' ascent on the national stage.   Throughout the years he has helped Henry develop many top wrestlers, Division II national qualifiers, and All-Americans. He has been instrumental in helping the wrestlers excel on the mat, in the classroom, and in the community beyond their years at Gannon.   "I want to thank Dr. Keith Taylor, Dr. Walter Iwanenko, Athletics Director Lisa Goddard McGuirk for this opportunity to lead the Gannon men's wrestling team," Boyd said. "I also want to thank my wife, Christine, for being a part of this journey. I know that, with Coach Zack Schafer, Coach Jared Merritt, and the strong support of the Gannon Wrestling Alumni, we are ready to continue our pursuit of winning a Division II National Championship."    

Henry is a senior member of the Gannon Athletic Department, entering his 33rd season as the head wrestling coach in 2016-17. Henry was hired in 1984 to resurrect a Golden Knight wrestling program that had been discontinued since 1971. Henrys work ethic and love of wrestling has elevated the Gannon program from its infancy to one that is now one of the best in Division II. Henry has guided the Gannon program through some of the best seasons in school history during the last 15 campaigns. He has coached eight regional champions and qualified wrestlers for the national championships 42 times during that time span. As a team, the Golden Knights have recorded top-30 national finishes 16 times during the last 18 years. While building the Golden Knight program from the ground up, Henry slowly turned the Golden Knights from a program that concentrated on the development of each individual wrestler to being a fully-competitive program in dual competitions and postseason championships. Henry has compiled a 154-126-3 dual record over the last 21 years, including a 120-66-1 mark since the 2000-01 campaign. The Golden Knights have won 67 percent (76-38-1) of their dual matches during the last eight campaigns. Henry has produced 22 All-Americans who have achieved all-america status a combined 32 times. He has coached 22 regional champions, along with 81 All-Academic wrestlers and 72 national qualifiers. Gannon wrestlers have reached the all-america level 23 times during the last 15 seasons. Gannon wrestlers to earn all-america honors under Henrys tutelage include Matt Turek (2012-13, 2013-14), Zach Zelcs (2012-13), Ethan Swope (2011-12), Jose Matos (2010-11), Corey Bowers (2009-10), A.J. Milinak (2009-10), Tony Petrella (2009-10), Frank McGrath (2008-09, 2009-10), Kevin McElhaney (2008-09, 2009-10), Jacob Tazzi (2008-09), Zack McKendree (2007-08, 2010-11), Lyneil Mitchell (2001-02, 2002-03), R.J. Paterniti (2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06), Mike Sanders (2004-05), Brendan Bosko (2001-02), Doug Joseph (2000-01), Todd Proper (1999-01), Lantz Schwabenbauer (1998-99, 2000-01), Tom Boyd (1990-91), Sean Haight (1986-87), Dave Kruszewski (1989-90) and John Oldach (1989-90). The 33-year veteran also has his team performing in the classroom. Gannon's team grade point average ranked third nationally in 2000-01, fifth in 2011-12, fifth in 2008-09, seventh in 2005-06, seventh in 1999-00, eighth in 2001-02, 10th in 2006-07, 10th in 2012-13, 13th in 2007-08, 18th in 2014-15 and 19th in 2015-16. Golden Knight wrestlers have earned a total of 47 Academic All-America honors during the last nine seasons, including a pair of first-team selections in 2014-15. Henry was inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame in March of 2014 at the NCAA Division I National Championships. He was chosen as one of six inductees in the 2014 NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame induction class, representing the highest wrestling honor a student-athlete or coach can receive at the NCAA Division II level. Henry was inducted on the eve of the NCAA Division I national championships in front of a large Gannon contingent of current and former assistant coaches, administrators and former wrestlers. The induction ceremony took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. "I am very humbled by the selection to the Hall of Fame," said Henry upon his induction. "This would have been an impossible dream 30 years ago. I have enjoyed all the Hall of Fame dinners that I have attended over the years. There is a common theme among the wrestlers and coaches who have been selected before me. Wrestling is more than a sport. It's a lifestyle. It's the thing that allows people to accomplish the impossible." Henry joined his second Hall of Fame September 24, 2016 when he was inducted into the Slippery Rock University Athletics Hall of Fame for his standout collegiate wrestling career. He has been named NCAA Division II Super Region One Coach of the Year three times and received the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award twice during his career. The award is presented by the NWCA each year to the outstanding coach in each division who epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing young student-athletes. Henry was nominated by his coaching peers and selected by the NWCA Board of Directors. The 2002-03 season was a special one for Henry as he received the NWCA Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award for the first time. He was recognized and presented with an award at the NWCA Social hosted by the Hyatt Regency at the 2003 NCAA Division I Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. Gannon sent four wrestlers to the national championships that year, finishing 15th in NCAA Division II. Mitchell finished third at heavyweight and Paterniti finished sixth at 141. Both were named All-Americans. Henry also received the NWCA Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award in 2011-12, being recognized and presented with an award at the NWCA Social prior to the 2012 NCAA Division I Championships. Gannon went 10-5 in dual meets during the 2011-12 campaign, tying the second-highest win total in school history. Only the 1996-97 team won more with 11. The Golden Knights secured at least nine wins for the fourth straight season and reached double digits for the second time during the last four years. Victories against nationally-ranked Ashland (22-18) and West Liberty (23-19) highlighted the dual schedule. The season concluded with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 27th-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Swope and Zelcs won regional championships at 149 and 184, respectively. The duo joined Buddy Blotzer to form a trio of national qualifiers. Blotzer placed fourth in the regionals 165-pound bracket after entering unranked. Only regional champion Newberry had more individual champions. Gannons great regional performance resulted in Henry being named NCAA Division II Super Regional One Coach of the Year for the third time in his career, including twice in a three-year span. Swope later became the 20th All-American in school history by placing sixth at 149 during the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championships. He was also named Gannons Male Student-Athlete of the Year, becoming the third wrestler to receive the honor. Henry produced Gannons first national champion at the 2001 NCAA Division II National Championships. Joseph made school history by winning the national title at 197. Schwabenbauer placed third at 165 and Proper finished third at heavyweight. As a result, Henry was named NCAA Division II East Region Coach of the Year for the first time. The NCAA honored Henry with the Division II East Region Coach of the Year for the second time in 2010 when the Golden Knights finished eighth at the NCAA Division II National Championships. It represented the second-best finish in program history behind a seventh-place finish in 2001. Gannon sent a school-record six wrestlers to the 2010 nationals with five earning all-america status, also a school record. Bowers, Petrella and Milanak achieved the honor for the first time while McElhaney and McGrath became two-time All-Americans. The Golden Knights placed second at regionals that season, the highest finish in school history. Bowers and McGrath led Gannon with runner-up finishes. Eight wrestlers were regional place winners, another Gannon record. Gannon recorded its eighth consecutive winning dual season in 2014-15 with a 7-5 mark. The Golden Knights placed fifth at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 40th at the NCAA Division II National Championships. The squad qualified three wrestlers for the national championships for the first time since 2012. Zelcs qualified for his fourth consecutive national championship appearance while Turek advanced for the third straight year. In 2013-14, the Golden Knights finished 8-4. Gannon had a strong 2-1 showing at the Mid-Atlantic Duals, but the high mark had to be a thrilling come-from-behind 23-22 victory against No. 18 Lake Erie in the regular-season finale. The squad pulled out the win with a one-point decision during the final bout at heavyweight. Henrys troops finished fifth at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 27th at the national championships. Turek earned NCAA Division II All-America honors for the second consecutive season with a runner-up finish at 125 during the regionals. He placed fourth at nationals, representing the highest finish by a 125-pound wrestler in school history. He became the eighth wrestler in program history to earn multiple all-america awards during their career and the first Gannon wrestler to be named an All-American in back-to-back seasons since 2010. Zelcs joined Turek with his third consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship appearance after winning a third-place bout at regionals. The 2013-14 season was the seventh straight in which multiple wrestlers advanced to the national championships. Gannon went 6-4 during its dual schedule in 2012-13. The Golden Knights top highlight of the season was arguably a 21-18 victory against 16th-ranked Ashland during a stretch when the squad won six of the final eight bouts. The program finished seventh at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 29th at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Turek and Zelcs both earned all-america status for the first time in their careers with eight-place finishes at 125 and 184, respectively. They became the 21st and 22nd wrestlers to achieve all-america status at the time under Henry. Gannon posted a 9-2-1 dual record in 2010-11, defeating perennial power and nationally-ranked Pitt-Johnstown (28-6) and rival Mercyhurst (27-15) along the way. Gannon also hosted the NCAA Division II Super Regional One at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion, finishing third. McKendree, Swope, Matos and Milanak all qualified for the 2011 national tournament, leading Gannon to a 16th-place finish. Making his third trip to nationals in 2011, McKendree capped an impressive four-year career with a run to the national title match at 165 pounds. McKendree became just the third wrestler in Gannon history to reach the championship match, but suffered a 3-1 overtime loss to finish second. He became the fifth two-time All-American in Gannon history at the time. McKendree was honored as the NCAA Division II Super Region One Wrestler of the Year and became the second wrestler to be named co-Gannon Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Matos also earned all-america honors in 2011, finishing eighth at 125 pounds during his first trip to nationals. Gannon posted 10 dual victories in 2008-09, equaling the second-most in program history at the time. The Golden Knights finished the regular season with seven straight dual victories, beating ranked opponents Ashland, Shippensburg and West Liberty during the streak. Tazzi, McElhaney and McGrath all earned all-america status at nationals. The program finished 26th at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships. McKendree and Pino Scavella qualified for the second time in their careers while Bowers and McGrath advanced for the first time. McKendree became the schools 12th All-American at the time. Gannon also finished 26th at the 2007 NCAA Division II National Championships. Scavella and McKendree both made their first-ever national championship appearance. In 2006, the Golden Knights finished 25th nationally. Paterniti became the first wrestler in school history to win four regional titles and became an All-American for the third time with a seventh-place finish in the 149-pound division at the national championships. He joined Proper as the only two wrestlers in school history at the time to earn all-america honors three times. Gannon finished 18th at the 2005 NCAA Division II championships, sending four wrestlers to the event for the second consecutive season. Paterniti captured the bronze medal at 149 for the second straight campaign. In 2004-05, Gannon qualified four wrestlers for the national championships. Paterniti and Sanders earned all-america status. Paterniti entered the national championship with an unblemished mark and the East Region 149-pound championship in his pocket. He lost by one point during the semifinals and finished third in Division II with a 19-1 record. Sanders placed eighth at 133. The Golden Knights sent four wrestlers to the national championships and finished 17th in the country during the 2001-02 season. Gannon also sent four wrestlers to nationals one year earlier and finished seventh in the country during the 2000-01 campaign, the highest finish ever by a Gannon team. In addition to the 17th-place finish in 2001-02, two wrestlers earned all-america status. Mitchell finished second in the heavyweight division after being pinned while leading in the final period of the title match. Bosko placed sixth at 149. At 6-4-2, his 1999-2000 squad posted Gannons first winning dual record since the 1996-97 season. The squad also tied a school record for the best finish ever at the NCAA Nationals at that time, placing 22nd out of 33 teams. Proper and Joseph both advanced to the national championships. Proper became an All-American for the second time with a fifth-place finish. Henry guided his 1998-99 squad to a 22nd-place finish at the national championships in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the programs best finish ever at that time. Three wrestlers qualified for nationals under Henry in 1998-99: Proper, Schwabenbauer and Bob Banks. Henrys 1996-97 team finished with the most victories in school history, as the Golden Knights went 11-5 and finished sixth at the NCAA Division II East Regional. The 11 wins included an impressive 30-12 triumph over nationally-ranked Carson-Newman. Banks became Gannons first wrestler since Matt Scripps to reach the nationals. Scripps advanced to the national championships in 1995. A four-year wrestler at Slippery Rock University, Henry served as the Rockets team captain his last two seasons and placed three times at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships. As a senior, he finished second. He was a two-time NCAA Division I National Qualifier at 142 pounds. Henry is a 1983 graduate of Slippery Rock with a Bachelors Degree in Parks and Recreation Management. He was a longtime Director of Intramurals and the Carneval Athletic Pavilion at Gannon until stepping down from both positions during the summer of 2014. Don Henry Head Wrestling Coach Don Henry is a senior member of the Gannon Athletic Department, entering his 33rd season as the head wrestling coach in 2016-17. Henry was hired in 1984 to resurrect a Golden Knight wrestling program that had been discontinued since 1971. Henrys work ethic and love of wrestling has elevated the Gannon program from its infancy to one that is now one of the best in Division II. Henry has guided the Gannon program through some of the best seasons in school history during the last 15 campaigns. He has coached eight regional champions and qualified wrestlers for the national championships 42 times during that time span. As a team, the Golden Knights have recorded top-30 national finishes 16 times during the last 18 years. While building the Golden Knight program from the ground up, Henry slowly turned the Golden Knights from a program that concentrated on the development of each individual wrestler to being a fully-competitive program in dual competitions and postseason championships. Henry has compiled a 154-126-3 dual record over the last 21 years, including a 120-66-1 mark since the 2000-01 campaign. The Golden Knights have won 67 percent (76-38-1) of their dual matches during the last eight campaigns. Henry has produced 22 All-Americans who have achieved all-america status a combined 32 times. He has coached 22 regional champions, along with 81 All-Academic wrestlers and 72 national qualifiers. Gannon wrestlers have reached the all-america level 23 times during the last 15 seasons. Gannon wrestlers to earn all-america honors under Henrys tutelage include Matt Turek (2012-13, 2013-14), Zach Zelcs (2012-13), Ethan Swope (2011-12), Jose Matos (2010-11), Corey Bowers (2009-10), A.J. Milinak (2009-10), Tony Petrella (2009-10), Frank McGrath (2008-09, 2009-10), Kevin McElhaney (2008-09, 2009-10), Jacob Tazzi (2008-09), Zack McKendree (2007-08, 2010-11), Lyneil Mitchell (2001-02, 2002-03), R.J. Paterniti (2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06), Mike Sanders (2004-05), Brendan Bosko (2001-02), Doug Joseph (2000-01), Todd Proper (1999-01), Lantz Schwabenbauer (1998-99, 2000-01), Tom Boyd (1990-91), Sean Haight (1986-87), Dave Kruszewski (1989-90) and John Oldach (1989-90). The 33-year veteran also has his team performing in the classroom. Gannon's team grade point average ranked third nationally in 2000-01, fifth in 2011-12, fifth in 2008-09, seventh in 2005-06, seventh in 1999-00, eighth in 2001-02, 10th in 2006-07, 10th in 2012-13, 13th in 2007-08, 18th in 2014-15 and 19th in 2015-16. Golden Knight wrestlers have earned a total of 47 Academic All-America honors during the last nine seasons, including a pair of first-team selections in 2014-15. Henry was inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame in March of 2014 at the NCAA Division I National Championships. He was chosen as one of six inductees in the 2014 NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame induction class, representing the highest wrestling honor a student-athlete or coach can receive at the NCAA Division II level. Henry was inducted on the eve of the NCAA Division I national championships in front of a large Gannon contingent of current and former assistant coaches, administrators and former wrestlers. The induction ceremony took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. "I am very humbled by the selection to the Hall of Fame," said Henry upon his induction. "This would have been an impossible dream 30 years ago. I have enjoyed all the Hall of Fame dinners that I have attended over the years. There is a common theme among the wrestlers and coaches who have been selected before me. Wrestling is more than a sport. It's a lifestyle. It's the thing that allows people to accomplish the impossible." Henry joined his second Hall of Fame September 24, 2016 when he was inducted into the Slippery Rock University Athletics Hall of Fame for his standout collegiate wrestling career. He has been named NCAA Division II Super Region One Coach of the Year three times and received the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award twice during his career. The award is presented by the NWCA each year to the outstanding coach in each division who epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing young student-athletes. Henry was nominated by his coaching peers and selected by the NWCA Board of Directors. The 2002-03 season was a special one for Henry as he received the NWCA Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award for the first time. He was recognized and presented with an award at the NWCA Social hosted by the Hyatt Regency at the 2003 NCAA Division I Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. Gannon sent four wrestlers to the national championships that year, finishing 15th in NCAA Division II. Mitchell finished third at heavyweight and Paterniti finished sixth at 141. Both were named All-Americans. Henry also received the NWCA Robert Bubb Coaching Excellence Award in 2011-12, being recognized and presented with an award at the NWCA Social prior to the 2012 NCAA Division I Championships. Gannon went 10-5 in dual meets during the 2011-12 campaign, tying the second-highest win total in school history. Only the 1996-97 team won more with 11. The Golden Knights secured at least nine wins for the fourth straight season and reached double digits for the second time during the last four years. Victories against nationally-ranked Ashland (22-18) and West Liberty (23-19) highlighted the dual schedule. The season concluded with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 27th-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Swope and Zelcs won regional championships at 149 and 184, respectively. The duo joined Buddy Blotzer to form a trio of national qualifiers. Blotzer placed fourth in the regionals 165-pound bracket after entering unranked. Only regional champion Newberry had more individual champions. Gannons great regional performance resulted in Henry being named NCAA Division II Super Regional One Coach of the Year for the third time in his career, including twice in a three-year span. Swope later became the 20th All-American in school history by placing sixth at 149 during the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championships. He was also named Gannons Male Student-Athlete of the Year, becoming the third wrestler to receive the honor. Henry produced Gannons first national champion at the 2001 NCAA Division II National Championships. Joseph made school history by winning the national title at 197. Schwabenbauer placed third at 165 and Proper finished third at heavyweight. As a result, Henry was named NCAA Division II East Region Coach of the Year for the first time. The NCAA honored Henry with the Division II East Region Coach of the Year for the second time in 2010 when the Golden Knights finished eighth at the NCAA Division II National Championships. It represented the second-best finish in program history behind a seventh-place finish in 2001. Gannon sent a school-record six wrestlers to the 2010 nationals with five earning all-america status, also a school record. Bowers, Petrella and Milanak achieved the honor for the first time while McElhaney and McGrath became two-time All-Americans. The Golden Knights placed second at regionals that season, the highest finish in school history. Bowers and McGrath led Gannon with runner-up finishes. Eight wrestlers were regional place winners, another Gannon record. Gannon recorded its eighth consecutive winning dual season in 2014-15 with a 7-5 mark. The Golden Knights placed fifth at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 40th at the NCAA Division II National Championships. The squad qualified three wrestlers for the national championships for the first time since 2012. Zelcs qualified for his fourth consecutive national championship appearance while Turek advanced for the third straight year. In 2013-14, the Golden Knights finished 8-4. Gannon had a strong 2-1 showing at the Mid-Atlantic Duals, but the high mark had to be a thrilling come-from-behind 23-22 victory against No. 18 Lake Erie in the regular-season finale. The squad pulled out the win with a one-point decision during the final bout at heavyweight. Henrys troops finished fifth at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 27th at the national championships. Turek earned NCAA Division II All-America honors for the second consecutive season with a runner-up finish at 125 during the regionals. He placed fourth at nationals, representing the highest finish by a 125-pound wrestler in school history. He became the eighth wrestler in program history to earn multiple all-america awards during their career and the first Gannon wrestler to be named an All-American in back-to-back seasons since 2010. Zelcs joined Turek with his third consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship appearance after winning a third-place bout at regionals. The 2013-14 season was the seventh straight in which multiple wrestlers advanced to the national championships. Gannon went 6-4 during its dual schedule in 2012-13. The Golden Knights top highlight of the season was arguably a 21-18 victory against 16th-ranked Ashland during a stretch when the squad won six of the final eight bouts. The program finished seventh at the NCAA Division II Super Regional One and 29th at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Turek and Zelcs both earned all-america status for the first time in their careers with eight-place finishes at 125 and 184, respectively. They became the 21st and 22nd wrestlers to achieve all-america status at the time under Henry. Gannon posted a 9-2-1 dual record in 2010-11, defeating perennial power and nationally-ranked Pitt-Johnstown (28-6) and rival Mercyhurst (27-15) along the way. Gannon also hosted the NCAA Division II Super Regional One at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion, finishing third. McKendree, Swope, Matos and Milanak all qualified for the 2011 national tournament, leading Gannon to a 16th-place finish. Making his third trip to nationals in 2011, McKendree capped an impressive four-year career with a run to the national title match at 165 pounds. McKendree became just the third wrestler in Gannon history to reach the championship match, but suffered a 3-1 overtime loss to finish second. He became the fifth two-time All-American in Gannon history at the time. McKendree was honored as the NCAA Division II Super Region One Wrestler of the Year and became the second wrestler to be named co-Gannon Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Matos also earned all-america honors in 2011, finishing eighth at 125 pounds during his first trip to nationals. Gannon posted 10 dual victories in 2008-09, equaling the second-most in program history at the time. The Golden Knights finished the regular season with seven straight dual victories, beating ranked opponents Ashland, Shippensburg and West Liberty during the streak. Tazzi, McElhaney and McGrath all earned all-america status at nationals. The program finished 26th at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships. McKendree and Pino Scavella qualified for the second time in their careers while Bowers and McGrath advanced for the first time. McKendree became the schools 12th All-American at the time. Gannon also finished 26th at the 2007 NCAA Division II National Championships. Scavella and McKendree both made their first-ever national championship appearance. In 2006, the Golden Knights finished 25th nationally. Paterniti became the first wrestler in school history to win four regional titles and became an All-American for the third time with a seventh-place finish in the 149-pound division at the national championships. He joined Proper as the only two wrestlers in school history at the time to earn all-america honors three times. Gannon finished 18th at the 2005 NCAA Division II championships, sending four wrestlers to the event for the second consecutive season. Paterniti captured the bronze medal at 149 for the second straight campaign. In 2004-05, Gannon qualified four wrestlers for the national championships. Paterniti and Sanders earned all-america status. Paterniti entered the national championship with an unblemished mark and the East Region 149-pound championship in his pocket. He lost by one point during the semifinals and finished third in Division II with a 19-1 record. Sanders placed eighth at 133. The Golden Knights sent four wrestlers to the national championships and finished 17th in the country during the 2001-02 season. Gannon also sent four wrestlers to nationals one year earlier and finished seventh in the country during the 2000-01 campaign, the highest finish ever by a Gannon team. In addition to the 17th-place finish in 2001-02, two wrestlers earned all-america status. Mitchell finished second in the heavyweight division after being pinned while leading in the final period of the title match. Bosko placed sixth at 149. At 6-4-2, his 1999-2000 squad posted Gannons first winning dual record since the 1996-97 season. The squad also tied a school record for the best finish ever at the NCAA Nationals at that time, placing 22nd out of 33 teams. Proper and Joseph both advanced to the national championships. Proper became an All-American for the second time with a fifth-place finish. Henry guided his 1998-99 squad to a 22nd-place finish at the national championships in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the programs best finish ever at that time. Three wrestlers qualified for nationals under Henry in 1998-99: Proper, Schwabenbauer and Bob Banks. Henrys 1996-97 team finished with the most victories in school history, as the Golden Knights went 11-5 and finished sixth at the NCAA Division II East Regional. The 11 wins included an impressive 30-12 triumph over nationally-ranked Carson-Newman. Banks became Gannons first wrestler since Matt Scripps to reach the nationals. Scripps advanced to the national championships in 1995. A four-year wrestler at Slippery Rock University, Henry served as the Rockets team captain his last two seasons and placed three times at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships. As a senior, he finished second. He was a two-time NCAA Division I National Qualifier at 142 pounds. Henry is a 1983 graduate of Slippery Rock with a Bachelors Degree in Parks and Recreation Management. He was a longtime Director of Intramurals and the Carneval Athletic Pavilion at Gannon until stepping down from both positions during the summer of 2014.

Schafer begins his third season as an assistant wrestling coach at Gannon in 2016-17. He will be serving as a full-time assistant for the second consecutive season after serving as a volunteer assistant in 2014-15. He also currently works in Gannons Office of Graduate Admissions. The Girard, Pa., native came to Gannon from NCAA Division I South Dakota State University. He served multiple roles as a graduate assistant wrestling coach, volunteer assistant wrestling coach, adjunct instructor and admissions counselor during his time in South Dakota. During his competitive career, Schafer was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American at Mercyhurst University. Schafer placed fourth at 165 pounds in 2005 and claimed runner-up honors in 2006. He moved up to 174 pounds in 2007, placing seventh. Schafer finished his collegiate career with 109 wins. Schafer was a Pennsylvania state placewinner at Northwestern High School.

Jeff Boyd joined the Gannon men’s wrestling coaching staff as an assistant coach on July 1, 2025. The son of head coach Tom Boyd, Jeff spent the last year as an assistant coach at The Citadel. The younger Boyd completed his collegiate career after wrestling at West Virginia University and most recently at The Citadel.  “I could not be more excited to have my son, Jeffrey, become my assistant coach,” related Tom Boyd. “He grew up in the Gannon wrestling room. He knows the history of our program and all the alumni. He has been raised knowing my love of Gannon wrestling and its importance. That said, he will bring a new perspective with his wrestling experience. He has competed at the highest level and knows what it takes to reach those heights. He brings his knowledge on the mat as well as with strength & conditioning and mindset coaching that will help us achieve new levels of success. I look forward to Coach Jeff being an integral part of helping us reach our goals of winning a team National Championship.” Boyd concluded his collegiate wrestling career with a trip to the 2024 NCAA Div. I National Championships. He earned his berth at Nationals thanks to a second-place finish at 149 lbs. at the Southern Conference Championships, dropping a 2-2 decision in two tiebreakers in the finals. He became the first Bulldog to advance to the national tournament since 2022. He ended the year with an 18-13 record. For four seasons Boyd competed for West Virginia, compiling a 39-35 record while competing at 141 and 149 lbs. His top season came in 2022-23 as he finished at 16-10 at 149 lbs. The year before he posted a 16-16 record, placing eighth at the Big 12 Championships at 149 lbs. He started every dual but one and recorded wins over three ranked opponents. He placed eighth at the prestigious Southern Scuffle. Boyd redshirted in 2019-20, going 22-8 at 141 lbs., placing in three open tournaments. Boyd enjoyed a stellar prep career at McDowell High School. He finished with a 99-22 record and was a four-time PIAA state qualifier winning the 132-pound title at the 2018 PIAA Class 3A State Championships as a junior. He registered 13 pins and went 36-2 en route to the state title. Boyd was a three-time PIAA District 10 champion and a regional champion in 2018. He was a two-time NHSCA All-American (2017-18). Boyd earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Exercise Psychology from West Virginia in May 2023. He graduated with a 3.6 GPA and was an NWCA Scholar All-American and multiple-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection. He also represented the wrestling team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Boyd completed work on his Master of Arts in Sport Management from The Citadel in May 2025. He was once again an NWCA Scholar All-American while completing his wrestling career.  

Floor begins his second season as a member of the Gannon coaching staff in 2016-17, serving as a volunteer assistant. He is a familiar name to Gannon fans as a Golden Knight wrestler from 2009-13. The Westbrookville, N.Y., native spent five seasons wrestling for Gannon, concluding his career with the 17th-highest dual meet win percentage (.739) in school history. Floor won 17 of his 23 career dual match-ups. Overall, his hand was raised 43 times during his collegiate career. Twelve of those bouts ended via a pin. Floors best collegiate season arguably came as a senior in 2012-13 when he finished 12-6 overall and 6-2 in dual action. His senior resume included four pins. Floors dual victories during his final campaign came against Kutztown, Ashland, Shippensburg, Mercyhurst, East Stroudsburg and West Liberty. A 1993 graduate, Floor received a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Gannon University.