Cornell Coach Rob Koll looking forward to next year

Coach Rob Koll of Cornell led his team to a 2nd place finish at the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Looking forward Cornell is poised to make a push for the top in 2011. TOM recently sat down with coach Koll to discuss the past season and get his thoughts on next season.

Thanks to Coach Koll for taking the time.

TOM: Things appeared to come together for your squad this year what do you think was the biggest factor in your 2nd place finish?

Koll: We pride ourselves on performing well at the NCAA tournament. We’ve had four All-Americans a year for six straight years and we expect to extend this streak well into the future.

TOM: Everyone is talking about the performance of true freshman Kyle Dake, were you at all surprised at his success?

Koll: Not entirely, I have known Kyle for his entire life and I knew he had the ability to compete with anyone. That being said it is so rare for a freshman to place let alone win the championship that no one could ever truly expect such success.

TOM: One last question on Dake, where do you see him (weight) next year?

Koll: Ask me in a couple months. Right know 149 but 157 is not beyond the realm of possibility. He grew during the season and had to be extremely disciplined both at the dinner table as well as with his workouts.

TOM: By all accounts you have a stellar recruiting class coming in next year, what has been key to you landing some of the best talent in the country?

Koll: We have not had what would be considered a great recruiting class since we landed the Nickerson, Frey class. It was easier to convince this group of kids to come to Cornell because of the success we have enjoyed over the past five years. We also have a special group at Cornell who attract other outstanding young men. When a recruit and his family meet our wrestlers and my assistants they want to be a part of the program.

TOM: Tell us what you look for in a recruit.

Koll: One nice thing about recruiting for Cornell is that for the most part if you are a strong student, you are probably doing well in other aspects of life. I am extremely selective in whom we invite into our family. I look for kids who are obviously strong students, kids who wrestle year round and above all kids who come highly recommended by their high school coaches.

TOM: Looking forward to next season what are your expectations and what should fans expect out of the Big Red.

Koll: Next year will mark the third year in a row where I truly believe we have a legitimate shot at the team title. Many coaches talk of winning it but if they have never been in the top five I don’t believe they can appreciate just how difficult it is to win the title. For a school like Cornell to win the title everything has to go right. We don’t have the depth that some other school might have so there is simply no room for error. Next year is the first time that I feel we actually have a little depth and we also have the “star power” to put more than a few into the finals. Obviously there are many obstacles that we need to hurdle but it is an exciting time for everyone associated with our program. The NCAA team title has not resided on the east coast since 1953 and I believe it would be a great thing, not only for Cornell but for wrestling in general, for Cornell to bring home the championship.

TOM: What are a few things fans may not know about Coach Koll?

Koll: I am much cooler than my team thinks and I am a closet Glee fan.