Ex-Penn State wrestling great Zain Retherford transitions into coaching role with NLWC

Former Penn State wrestling icon Zain Retherford made a significant decision on the future of his career Monday, entering the coaching ranks with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

The NLWC announced the news on its official social media page Monday afternoon. Retherford is fresh off his Olympic debut earlier this month after defeating fellow Nittany Lion alum Nick Lee at the Olympic Team Trials in April and completing a gutsy rally through May’s last-chance qualifier in Turkey to represent the United States at 65 kg.

The former Nittany Lion withdrew from the Paris Olympics as a medical precaution after suffering a head injury during his opening-round defeat to Iran’s Rahman Amouzadkhali.

Retherford now will be integral in preparing the NLWC members for the World Championships over the next few years and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Olympian 🇺🇸. World Champion. 2x Hodge Winner. 3x NCAA Champion.  Now, Coach Retherford. pic.twitter.com/w5Oxn4vrS6

— NLWC (@NittanyLionWC) August 26, 2024

Zain Retherford’s move to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club makes him the second ex-Penn State wrestler to join the coaching ranks in Happy Valley this summer. In May, Cael Sanderson named Nick Lee an assistant coach for the Penn State wrestling program. The five-time All-American replaces Jimmy Kennedy, who followed David Taylor to Oklahoma State.

Monday’s news also comes after Retherford’s former teammate, Jason Nolf, announced his retirement from competitive wrestling earlier in the day. Nolf is moving his company, Athletes Ocean, to Austin, Texas, where he will pursue jiu-jitsu and open a wrestling club and Round Rock High School.

Will former Penn State wrestling star leave his shoes on the mat after joining NLWC coaching staff?

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

While it was part of the NLWC announcement, many assume that this move by Zain Retherford, now age 29, means that he is finished with his competitive wrestling career. If so, the former Nittany Lion leaves behind one of the most accomplished careers in recent memory.

Retherford compiled a 131-3 record with two PIAA state titles while in high school. He then instantly found success at Penn State as a true freshman, finishing 33-3 and fifth at the NCAA Championships in 2014. After redshirting in 2015, Retherford never lost a collegiate match again, going 93-0 with a bonus percentage of 85+% en route to three NCAA titles. He contributed to four team National Championships while in the starting lineup for Penn State wrestling.

Zain Retherford is one of just a few wrestlers to win the Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the best collegiate wrestler, twice.

After his Penn State career ended, Retherford went on to find success in freestyle wrestling, finishing second at the World Championships at 70 kg in 2022 and winning Gold in 2023.

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