Maranatha Baptist Bible College announces Andy Peterson as Head Coach

Maranatha Baptist Bible College is pleased to announce that Andy Peterson has accepted the position of head wrestling coach. Peterson, a 2003 graduate of Maranatha, has also earned a Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Medicine from Western Michigan University.

While at Western Michigan University, Peterson served as the graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for 2 years. Prior to his time at Western Michigan, Peterson served as the strength and conditioning coordinator at Greenville College (Ill.) and also served as an assistant football coach for 3 years.

Following graduation from Maranatha, Peterson served as an assistant football and wrestling coach from 2003-2004 before playing for the River City Rage of the National Indoor Football League in St. Charles, Missouri for 2 years as a defensive back and linebacker.

The Peterson name goes hand-in-hand with Maranatha wrestling. Coach Peterson’s dad, Ben Peterson, served as the head wrestling coach at Maranatha for 27 years. Coach Peterson has worked as a clinician and coordinator with Camp of Champs, a summer wrestling camp run by his father and John Peterson, his uncle. Both Ben and John Peterson were Olympic gold and silver medalists in the 1970s.

“We are excited to have Andy Peterson coming to Maranatha as our new head wrestling coach,” Athletic Director Rob Thompson said. “Andy was an outstanding wrestler for Maranatha during his collegiate days and will greatly add to the program.”

Peterson will be taking over for Doug Richards who served as the interim head wrestling coach for the 2008-2009 season. Richards will now be able to focus on his primary responsibilities as Dean of Students at Maranatha. “We are grateful to Coach Richards for filling in this past season as the head coach,” Thompson said. “Richards did a masterful job, reigniting the passion for wrestling at Maranatha in his efforts to rebuild the program to a full competitive squad.”

“I am excited to help continue the tradition of great wrestling here at Maranatha,” Coach Peterson said. “Doug (Richards) and Scott (Hawes) did great work continuing to develop the wrestling program from where Dad had it. There is a great number of good young men to work with, and I look forward to investing into the spiritual lives of these men.”

Peterson will also be serving as the head football coach for Maranatha Baptist Academy, taking over for Pastor Rich Akins, who served as the academy football coach for 31 years.