Hardman hired to head UIndy wrestling program

INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Indianapolis has named Josh Hardman as its head wrestling coach, announced by Director of Athletics Dr. Sue Willey Monday. Hardman comes to the university after four years at the helm of the wrestling program at Dakota Wesleyan University.

“We are indeed fortunate to have hired Josh Hardman as our next head wrestling coach,” Dr. Willey said. “Josh is a talented and experienced coach who brings many great attributes to our program. UIndy athletics looks forward to watching Coach Hardman improve upon both the academic and athletic success of our wrestling program.”

Hardman mentored 24 NAIA national qualifiers, three All-Americans and four NWCA Scholar All-Americans during his stint at Dakota Wesleyan. His 2008 squad posted the fourth-highest team grade point average in the NAIA for the NWCA, while his 2007 team had the third-highest GPA.

“My family and I are excited to join the Greyhound family,” Hardman said. “We are looking forward to building the wrestling program into a Top 10 team in the country. I think there is a great foundation of wrestlers to work with and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the future.”

Prior to his time at Dakota Wesleyan, Hardman served as an assistant coach at then-Division II South Dakota State University, where he coached nine national qualifiers, one national runner-up, five All-Americans and seven National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-Americans. SDSU also placed 10th in the national tournament while Hardman was on the staff. He also served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Division III Manchester College, helping produce one national champion, seven national qualifiers, four All-Americans and two NWCA Scholar All-Americans.

During his own collegiate athletic career, Hardman earned eight varsity letters at Manchester. In the wrestling room, he was a team captain, a three-time Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion and a three-time national qualifier, as well as a two-time Division III All-American. He currently still ranks in the top five for both career wins and career pins at Manchester, where he also earned All-Conference honorable mention on the gridiron and lettered in track.

Hardman, who officially begins his duties at UIndy May 15, inherits the program from Interim Head Coach Terry Wetherald, who took over the position after the release of previous head coach Jay Yates. Last year’s Greyhounds produced a pair of national qualifiers, four NCAA Division II wrestling coaches association all-academic selections and a seventh-place academic ranking in the coaches association listing.