Spotlight on Frank Edgar - 'The Answer'
Mar 07 | Wrestling
By Brian Johnson
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. ' Rutgers senior wrestler Daniel Hilt (Manalapan, N.J.) just finished working out with Scarlet Knights assistant coach and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Frank Edgar during practice, when he walked over trying to catch his breath.
"It's insane," Hilt said during a break at practice. "You have no choice but to rise up to that level. If you're having a bad day, whatever is going on, too bad. You have to go against Edgar. He just brings your intensity level and your game up."
That's what it's like every time Edgar hits the mat with the RU wrestlers. Edgar, ranked one of the top UFC fighters in the world, has a match coming up on April 2 against Gray Maynard, and has his hands full ' training for the big match and trying to coach the team with the EIWA championship coming up.
But he said the Rutgers job works well with his UFC schedule because he gets to train at practice.
"This fits in great because I come here and I work out," Edgar said. "It kind of just goes hand-in-hand, and I get to concentrate on my wrestling still, and wrestle with top Division I athletes to train. So, it's perfect for me."
Edgar is no stranger to the wrestling mat. The Toms River, N.J. native was a four-time national qualifier at Clarion University from 2001-2005. He won the Eastern Wrestling League Championship in 2005 and was a freestyle All-American in 2004. His career record in college was an impressive 120-29.
He's also no stranger to RU first-year head coach Scott Goodale. When Goodale was coaching at Jackson Memorial High School, Edgar was wrestling at local rival Toms River East High school.
"I knew Goodale very well so, I guess the connection was there, and now I'm part of making Rutgers a national power," Edgar said. "I wanted to make sure everything would click with me fighting in the UFC, and it did. So I'm happy to be here with Goodale and assistant coach John Leonardis."
And when Hilt heard about Edgar joining the coaching staff, he was so pumped up he had to spread the word to everyone around the shore area.
After all, Edgar was a big name in high school wrestling when Hilt was at Manalapan High School
"I was watching Edgar ever since I started wrestling," Hilt said. "At any tournament I used to show up at, everyone would watch him. When I talked to Coach Goodale, he said there was a possibility that he was coming over and I was really excited. It was the exact spark Rutgers needed. Frank, Goodale and Leo. Those three faces coming in here, you couldn't pick 'em better than that."
What Hilt loves best about Edgar is that he never lets up on the wrestlers. Even with the Maynard fight coming up.
"He's got a big fight coming up, but he's coming in here and not taking it easy on anybody," the 133-pounder said. "He's got a career to worry about and something on the line to fight for. When he comes in here he isn't just fooling around, he's coming here to work."
Also known as "The Answer," Edgar is currently 8-0 in UFC fights, with notable victories against Spencer Fisher, Mark Bocek and Tyson Griffin.
It's a type of fighting that has interested the 5-foot-6 wrestler since he was a kid.
"It goes back to when I was a little kid and watched UFC, and it stuck with me forever," Edgar said. "At the end of my college career I knew I wanted to still compete. I was scrapping. A couple of local guys from my area were fighting so I found out where they were working out, and it started from there."
Edgar said there's many mixed martial arts competitors who started off as wrestlers. It's great to have that experience in the octagon.
"Wrestling is a huge background," he said. "It's probably the best base to have in mixed martial arts, and that's just the best grounds for a good fighter."
The 155-pounder said he sees future UFC prospects every time he's at an RU practice. This is something that Hilt probably doesn't want a part of as the senior is set to graduate.
"Most likely not," Hilt said while laughing. "I don't know if I could do that for the rest of my young life. That takes a toll on you."
Edgar said the biggest piece of advice he gives the Scarlet Knights' wrestlers is simply hard work and dedication. But he'd rather lead the kids on the mat.
"My intensity shines through my wrestling and I try and lead by example," Edgar said. "I'm not the biggest talker with these guys, but I relate well with them."
