A strong presence in the Rutgers wrestling room for more than a decade,
Joe Pollard begins his 15th season "On the Banks" and third as an assistant with the Scarlet Knights. During his tenure in Piscataway, Pollard has also served as a volunteer assistant coach and as the program's director of operations.
With the help of Pollard, Rutgers has produced two individual national champions, six individual conference titles, 19 All-Americans in the past 10 seasons and multiple All-Americans at seven of the last eight NCAA Championships.
With Pollard on staff In 2024-25, Rutgers finished No. 11 in the final 2024-25 NWCA Coaches Poll – its highest final ranking since it closed the 2015-16 campaign No. 10. Seven Scarlet Knights qualified for the 2025 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia, where Dean Peterson (125), Dylan Shawver (133) and Joseph Olivieri (141) all advanced to the ‘Blood Round.’
Pollard has also been instrumental in RU's recruiting success, as the program signed the No. 4 overall recruiting class in the country last season, according to Intermat's final rankings. It marks the highest-rated rookie class since Rutgers inked the No. 4 overall class during the 2007-08 cycle.
Pollard joined the Scarlet Knights for the 2011-12 season after he spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at The College of New Jersey under legendary coach Dave Icenhower. While at TCNJ, Pollard helped the Lions reach new heights as 18 wrestlers earned All-America honors under Pollard’s tutelage. For his successes at TCNJ, Pollard was named NCAA Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007.
Prior to accepting the position at TCNJ, Pollard was a three-year varsity starter at Rider University. While at Rider, Pollard was a two-time Josh Hanson Award winner, given to the wrestler who demonstrates exceptional leadership, work ethic and academics.
A placewinner at the Prep Nationals as a student at the Peddie School, Pollard was a New Jersey State qualifier. A two-time first-team All-County selection, he was also a three-time County Champion and earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Mercer County tournament.
Pollard currently resides in Hamilton, New Jersey with his wife, Britt. They are the proud parents of their son, Duke, daughter, Mila, and son, Crew.
