Athletor Podcast with Mike Mal

In Episode 063 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Matt Valenti, the Associate Head Coach at Penn and a 2x NCAA Champion, to explore his dynamic transition from an administrative role back to the hands-on world of coaching. Matt discusses the motivations behind his shift and compares the broad, strategic influence he had in administration to the direct, interpersonal impact he achieves as a coach. This conversation highlights his unique perspective on effecting change in both capacities. Matt explains how his experience in the Penn athletic department enhances his effectiveness as an associate head coach, offering insights into the synergy between administrative acumen and coaching strategies. He also shares practical advice for young coaches on how to build positive relationships with administrative staff, including simple gestures like sharing team gear. The discussion also covers recruiting strategies and the critical role of building a strong team culture, making this episode a valuable listen for aspiring coaches and sports administrators alike.

Episode 153 features Scott Moore, Head Coach at Lock Haven. Scott breaks down how he builds competitive teams through consistency, accountability, and daily standards. He shares how culture shows up in practice, preparation, and performance long before match day.The conversation also covers recruiting the right athletes, developing confidence, and sustaining momentum inside a historic program. Scott explains how leadership, trust, and clear expectations shape long-term success for wrestlers and staff alike.

Episode 152 of the Athletor Podcast features JohnMark Bently, Head Coach at Appalachian State, for an honest conversation about building a program the right way. Bently shares how leadership, culture, and consistency shape long-term success, along with the daily standards required to develop wrestlers on and off the mat.The episode dives into recruiting with intention, earning buy-in from athletes, and balancing performance with personal growth. Bently also reflects on lessons learned as a head coach, navigating challenges, and what it takes to sustain momentum in a competitive college wrestling environment.

Episode 151 of the Athletor Podcast features Bryan Hazard, wrestling broadcast announcer and coach. Bryan breaks down the sport from the booth and the mat, sharing how he prepares to call matches, study athletes, and tell the story of wrestling in a way fans and families understand. He talks about the responsibility of commentary and how strong broadcasting adds value to the sport.The conversation also covers coaching, athlete development, and how perspective shifts when you see wrestling through multiple lenses. Bryan shares insight on growth in the sport, connecting with audiences, and why clear communication matters for athletes, coaches, and fans. This episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how wrestling is presented, taught, and experienced at every level.

Episode 150 features Matty Singleton from NC State. You hear a clear breakdown of how his staff evaluates recruits, builds trust with athletes, and sets daily standards inside the room. He shares how consistency in culture drives performance over a full season. He also explains how staff communication shapes development from day one.You gain insight into what coaches track beyond wins and losses. Matty walks through practice habits, accountability systems, and mindset work used at NC State. This conversation gives you takeaways for coaching, leadership, and growth at any level.

Episode 149 of the Athletor Podcast features a conversation with Chris Chionuma, Associate Head Coach at Cal Poly. Chris shares insight into his coaching journey, the standards inside the Cal Poly wrestling room, and how he approaches athlete development at the Division I level. He speaks on building trust, staying consistent as a coach, and setting clear expectations for growth on and off the mat.The episode also dives into leadership, program culture, and what matters most when preparing athletes for long-term success. Chris explains how daily habits, accountability, and communication shape competitive teams and resilient wrestlers. This episode gives coaches, athletes, and parents a clear look at how strong programs think and operate behind the scenes.

Episode 148 brings Eric Morrill to the Athletor Podcast. He shares lessons from his coaching journey and the standards he sets inside the California Baptist room. He breaks down how he approaches development, preparation, and daily habits that shape strong performers.He also talks about building trust with athletes, adjusting training to support growth, and the mindset he pushes during tough moments. His insight gives listeners a clear look at how he guides wrestlers toward consistent progress and higher expectations.

Episode 147 features a direct look into coaching, development, and performance with J Jaggers, Associate Head Coach at Ohio State. He shares how he evaluates athletes, how he approaches growth, and what he expects from wrestlers who want to rise in a tough room. You hear clear points on discipline, habits, and the standard he sets for his program.The conversation covers recruiting, daily structure, and the mindset needed to stay consistent under pressure. You get insight into how he pushes athletes to improve, how he builds trust, and how he supports long-term progress inside a Big Ten environment.

Episode 146 features Kevin Ward, Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State University. He shares insight on athlete development, daily standards, and the mindset you need to push through pressure. He speaks on building strong room culture and how consistency shapes performance at every level.Kevin also talks about leadership, personal growth, and habits that help wrestlers stay sharp through long seasons. You get direct, practical lessons you can apply in your own training, coaching, or daily life.

Episode 145 features A.J. Schopp, Head Assistant Coach at Edinboro University, as he walks through the mindset and technical approach that shaped his career on the mat and in the corner. Schopp shares how he developed one of the most respected top games in college wrestling and how he now teaches athletes to build discipline, confidence, and clarity in every position.He also talks through the growth of Edinboro’s program, the challenges of developing athletes in today’s landscape, and the habits he believes separate consistent winners from everyone else. This episode gives a direct look into Schopp’s coaching philosophy and the lessons he carries forward from his own competitive journey.

Episode 144 of the Athletor Podcast features Tom Houck, founder of CLAW Wrestling, who discusses building what could become wrestling’s first true professional league. Tom shares the three-year journey behind CLAW’s creation, from its detailed business plan to the new rules and structure designed to make wrestling more exciting and accessible to broader audiences.He breaks down how fan psychology, team dynamics, and innovative scoring systems like pylons and attack rate statistics are changing the way people experience wrestling. Tom also shares the league’s vision for the future, including local team ownership, expanded schedules, and CLAW events nationwide.

On Episode #143 of the Athletor Podcast, South Dakota State assistant coach Cam Simaz sits down with Mike Malinconico for a candid look at the evolving world of college wrestling—on and off the mat. They kick off with recovery tech and why SDSU invested in tools like a hyperbaric chamber, how athletes actually use it, and why the benefits come from consistency, not one-off sessions . From there, Cam unpacks the bigger picture: the growing tension between amateurism and professionalism, what NIL, transfers, and potential contracts could mean for non-revenue sports, and how programs like SDSU are responding with smart facilities, community buy-in, and efficiency across time and budget .Simaz also dives into recruiting and culture—why character and multi-sport backgrounds matter, how “performance” is really about daily standards across training, academics, and life, and the small, consistent actions that keep a fan base engaged in a small market. He closes with a practical fix for the spectator experience: time-limited video challenges to keep matches moving and audiences locked in . It’s a sharp, real-time snapshot of where college wrestling is headed—and what it will take to thrive there.

In this episode, Nebraska standout Brock Hardy joins the show to break down the details behind his wrestling style and mindset. He talks about developing his signature snap and how experimentation, repetition, and competition shaped his feel on the mat. Hardy also shares insight into his training philosophy, how he studies elite wrestlers, and the process of turning creativity in practice into confidence in competition.From high school dominance to competing at the D1 level, Hardy discusses what drives him, how he approaches technical growth, and what separates great wrestlers from good ones — both mentally and physically.

In this episode, Mike Mal sits down with one of the nation’s most respected club coaches, Ian Assael, Head Coach of Legends Wrestling Club. Ian shares his journey from running a powerhouse Pennsylvania program to joining the NC State staff during the Wolfpack’s rise and now building a legacy at Legends. He reflects on coaching elite wrestlers like Trent and Hayden Hidlay, the value of finding the “right kids and families,” and how culture, consistency, and timing can shape championship-caliber athletes.Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a successful wrestling environment—from fostering relationships and managing talent to the lessons learned from producing world-level competitors.

In this episode, Coach Dylan Carew joins the Athletor Podcast to share his unique perspective on how the recruiting landscape has evolved with NIL, transfer rules, and the modern athlete mindset. As Head Coach of Big Game Wrestling Club, Carew discusses how today’s coaches must not only recruit athletes but continually re-recruit them to retain top talent — a shift reshaping the sport at every level.From the challenges of navigating financial conversations and maintaining athlete relationships to developing character and resilience in young wrestlers, Carew offers an honest and insightful look at what it takes to build and sustain a winning program in 2025’s new era of wrestling.

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, Head Coach Mark Branch of the University of Wyoming sits down with Mike Mal to talk about the evolving landscape of college wrestling. Branch opens up about the challenges small programs face in the NIL and revenue-sharing era, his belief that success comes from doing things the right way, and how Wyoming’s administration and fans have built a strong foundation that proves “wrestling matters.” He shares how his program continues to thrive through culture, support, and adaptation—both on and off the mat.Branch also reflects on personal and professional transformation, describing how embracing change reshaped his coaching philosophy. From adjusting old-school habits to prioritizing athlete wellness and mental growth, Branch discusses leadership, loss, and the future of the sport with honesty and perspective. The conversation closes with his vision for wrestling’s future, his take on NIL reform, and why moving the NCAA season to the spring could be a game-changer.

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Bertin, one of Michigan’s all-time greats and a two-time NCAA champion at 157 pounds. From his dominant high school run at St. Edward in Ohio to becoming a four-time All-American for the Wolverines, Ryan shares lessons from a career that cemented him as a Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and Hall of Honor inductee.We dive into the mindset that fueled his success, the role of coaching and culture at Michigan, and how those experiences carried into his coaching career at Northwestern. Whether you’re a wrestler, coach, or fan of the sport, this conversation offers a rare look at the drive, humility, and leadership behind one of the most decorated athletes in college wrestling history.

On episode #137 of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Nate Engle of the Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Engle shares how his journey as a competitor and coach has shaped his approach to developing elite athletes in one of the most disciplined training environments in the country.From balancing military demands with international competition to building resilient athletes who can thrive under pressure, Engle opens up about what it takes to succeed at the highest level. He also discusses the culture within WCAP, the challenges of identifying and preparing the next wave of talent, and the lessons that translate beyond the mat.

On this episode of the Athletor Podcast, we sit down with Frank Beasley, Head Coach at George Mason University, to talk about the state of the Patriots wrestling program. Coach Beasley shares how the team has steadily built momentum, returning five national qualifiers this season while graduating only one starter. He reflects on the culture his staff is shaping, the excitement in the room, and the growth he’s seen from year to year.We also get into the challenges of competing in a tough conference, what it takes to attract and develop top recruits, and how Mason is carving out its place on the national stage. From preseason training to long-term program vision, Beasley gives an inside look at what’s fueling GMU wrestling right now.

In this episode of the Athletor Podcast, Utah Valley head coach Adam Hall sits down to discuss his transition into leading the Wolverines and the lessons he’s carrying over from years of competing and coaching. Hall talks about what he expects from his athletes—focusing on effort, discipline, and doing the small things right—as he works to build a strong foundation for Utah Valley Wrestling.The conversation dives into the challenges of establishing a program identity in the Big 12, how to balance the demands of coaching with developing athletes on and off the mat, and why accountability and culture are at the core of long-term success. Hall also shares insight into recruiting, adapting to the evolving NIL landscape, and what it takes to compete against powerhouse programs.