PROVIDENCE, R.I. –
Todd Beckerman, former Nebraska All-American, has been named the head wrestling coach at Brown University in an announcement made by Brown Director of Athletics Jack Hayes
on Friday. Beckerman will head the Bears' coaching staff following eight successful seasons at the University of Maryland, where he served as the head assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
"We're excited to have Todd Beckerman lead our wrestling program," said Hayes. "Todd was an outstanding student-athlete and he has continued that success as an accomplished coach with proven credentials. He brings tremendous experience and leadership to the position as well as a clear commitment to the direction of the program."
"I'm honored and excited to become the head coach at Brown, one of the most prestigious universities in the country," said Beckerman. "I would like to thank Jack Hayes and the rest of the search committee for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to working with the student-athletes, administration, and alumni to honor Brown's legacy while building a successful, nationally recognized program."
Beckerman, who has 12 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, comes to Brown following an impressive stint at Maryland, where he helped lead the Terrapins to four ACC Championships in the last eight years, including back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
Individually, Maryland has produced 16 different and 26 total conference champions during Beckerman's tenure, while six ACC champions directly trained with the two-time All-American. Under Beckerman's tutelage, seven wrestlers have earned All-American honors, including a trio of multiple winners. Beckerman also coached Steven Bell to a sixth-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Championships and an eighth-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Championships. Since 2006, 38 Maryland wrestlers were named to the All-ACC team, while two earned ACC Wrestler of the Year honors.
In addition to assisting with recruiting, coaching, travel, budgeting, academic support and several other administrative and development duties, Beckerman spearheaded a social media campaign that launched the Maryland program into the national spotlight. For his social media efforts, Beckerman and Maryland won the "The Gold Standard" award by the National Wrestling Coaches Association Best of Brand Awards in 2012.
Prior to his arrival at Maryland, Beckerman spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the Naval Academy. In 2004, Navy posted its best record since 1993 and had a school-record eight wrestlers record 25-win seasons.
In addition to stints at Maryland and Navy, Beckerman served as a volunteer coach at Nebraska during the 2002-03 season, where he primarily coached the lower weight classes and assisted with recruiting. He began his career as an administrative assistant at Penn State in 2001-02, where he worked one-on-one with student-athletes and directed summer camps.
A four-year letterwinner and two-time All-American at Nebraska, Beckerman graduated in 2001 with a B.S. in human resources and family sciences. In addition, he also earned a Master's in Education from Nebraska with an emphasis in post-secondary athletics in 2007.
As a student-athlete, Beckman put together a decorated career on the mat and racked up a lofty list of accolades while wrestling for the Huskers. He earned All-American status at the 2000 and 2001 NCAA Championships and also earned Academic All-Big 12 honors in both seasons. As a senior, the team captain was named the 2000-01 Nebraska Male Athlete of the Year and the Husker Power lifter of the Year, and also competed internationally in 1999 and 2000 with the Big 12 All-Star Wrestling Team.
Beckerman and his wife, Christina, have one daughter, Grace.
"What They're Saying About Todd Beckerman"
"I had the pleasure of coaching Todd at the University of Nebraska and he had an outstanding career there. Todd has definitely paid his dues as an assistant coach and is a true professional in every sense of the word. I am happy for both Brown University, for choosing Todd, and for the sport of wrestling. Having a young coach with his character will help not only Brown, but also our sport."
Mark Cody – University of Oklahoma Head Coach
"Brown University is getting a super coach, one of the best young coaches in the business. Todd has developed and prepared to put himself in this position. The student-athletes who are currently at Brown, along with future student-athletes, will be benefiting from a coach who will prepare them for life."
Mark Manning – University of Nebraska Head Coach
"I am really excited for Todd. This is a great opportunity. It's a bitter sweet moment for us and our program, because he does mean so much to the Maryland Wrestling Family. But, we are really excited for his opportunity and look forward to some great things from him as the head coach at Brown."
Kerry McCoy – University of Maryland Head Coach
"As a Brown graduate, I am very excited about the hiring of Todd Beckerman. He is a proven leader with a demonstrated history of success as a wrestler and a coach. He has mentored under some of our top coaches and is uniquely positioned to build on the rich history of Brown wrestling."
Pat Tocci '93 – Senior Director at the National Wrestling Coaches Association
