Pritzlaff Named Head Coach at Columbia
Jun 21 | Wrestling
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers wrestling associate head coach Donny Pritzlaff has been named the head coach at Columbia, announced earlier this week by the university. On staff with the Scarlet Knights since 2014, Pritzlaff has helped RU become one of the top programs in the country during his 10-year tenure "On the Banks."
"We cannot thank Donny enough for all he has done for this program over the past decade," said head coach Scott Goodale. Donny has helped Rutgers wrestling reach new heights during his time with us on staff, and Columbia is getting one of the premier coaches in the country to lead its program. Donny is and always will be a member of our family, and we wish him nothing but the best during this new journey. A national search for his replacement is underway."
During Pritzlaff's tenure at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights earned a pair of individual NCAA champions, five individual Big Ten titles, 18 All-Americans, 66 NCAA qualifiers and 44 Big Ten place winners. The Scarlet Knights recorded 110 dual victories and 34 in Big Ten Conference action during his time in Piscataway.
Pritzlaff served in the corner of three NCAA Championship matches and two NCAA title wins, as Anthony Ashnault (149) and Nick Suriano (133) secured the first individual NCAA titles in program history at the 2019 NCAA Championships. Additionally, RU posted seven consecutive seasons with multiple All-Americans at NCAAs.
Most recently, Pritzlaff helped RU land the No. 4 rated recruiting class this season, according to Intermat, during the 2024 cycle. It is the highest-rated class since 2008.
"Over the last 10 years at Rutgers University, my family and I have made lasting relationships and although I am sad to leave my team behind, I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead Columbia Wrestling," said Pritzlaff. "I want to thank the entire Rutgers community for their friendship and support. It was an honor to work alongside the best students and coaches in the country. Red Team, Upstream!"
A two-time national champion at Wisconsin, Pritzlaff arrived at Rutgers in 2014 after he spent three seasons on staff at Michigan (2011-13) as an assistant wrestling coach. Prior to his time in Ann Arbor, Pritzlaff was the associate head coach at his alma matter, Wisconsin, for five seasons from 2007-11. Pritzlaff also earned coaching experience at Hofstra prior to his arrival in Piscataway.
A 2001 NWCA All-Star selection, Pritzlaff claimed three-straight Big Ten Conference 165-pound titles (1999-2001) for the Badgers. He posted a 135-15 career collegiate record, including a 43-1 mark as a senior, ranking fourth among Wisconsin's all-time winningest wrestlers. His .894 career winning percentage ranks third in Badger program history. Pritzlaff was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
Rutgers wrapped up another successful season this past winter during Pritzlaff's final year on staff, finishing No. 14 in the final NWCA Coaches Poll and producing multiple All-Americans for the eighth time in nine seasons under Goodale. Dylan Shawver (133) and Yaraslau Slavikouski (HWT) finished seventh in their respective weight classes at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, as Rutgers has produced at least one All-American in 10 of the past 11 years. Eight Scarlet Knights qualified for nationals, our most since all 10 starters qualified in 2016. RU also finished sixth at the 2024 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, which included an individual title from Shawver, seven conference placewinners and 87.5 team points - its best team result since 2016.
Rutgers finished 12-5 during the dual season and earned a final No. 14 ranking in the NWCA Coaches Poll - its 12th top-25 finish in the poll under Goodale. The Scarlet Knights once again finished in the top six in national home attendance as it averaged more than 4,000 per home dual in 2023-24. Twelve student-athletes earned Winter Academic All-Big Ten recognition, while three individuals - Slavikouski, John Poznanski and Anthony White - were named NWCA Scholar All-Americans.
"We cannot thank Donny enough for all he has done for this program over the past decade," said head coach Scott Goodale. Donny has helped Rutgers wrestling reach new heights during his time with us on staff, and Columbia is getting one of the premier coaches in the country to lead its program. Donny is and always will be a member of our family, and we wish him nothing but the best during this new journey. A national search for his replacement is underway."
During Pritzlaff's tenure at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights earned a pair of individual NCAA champions, five individual Big Ten titles, 18 All-Americans, 66 NCAA qualifiers and 44 Big Ten place winners. The Scarlet Knights recorded 110 dual victories and 34 in Big Ten Conference action during his time in Piscataway.
Pritzlaff served in the corner of three NCAA Championship matches and two NCAA title wins, as Anthony Ashnault (149) and Nick Suriano (133) secured the first individual NCAA titles in program history at the 2019 NCAA Championships. Additionally, RU posted seven consecutive seasons with multiple All-Americans at NCAAs.
Most recently, Pritzlaff helped RU land the No. 4 rated recruiting class this season, according to Intermat, during the 2024 cycle. It is the highest-rated class since 2008.
"Over the last 10 years at Rutgers University, my family and I have made lasting relationships and although I am sad to leave my team behind, I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead Columbia Wrestling," said Pritzlaff. "I want to thank the entire Rutgers community for their friendship and support. It was an honor to work alongside the best students and coaches in the country. Red Team, Upstream!"
A two-time national champion at Wisconsin, Pritzlaff arrived at Rutgers in 2014 after he spent three seasons on staff at Michigan (2011-13) as an assistant wrestling coach. Prior to his time in Ann Arbor, Pritzlaff was the associate head coach at his alma matter, Wisconsin, for five seasons from 2007-11. Pritzlaff also earned coaching experience at Hofstra prior to his arrival in Piscataway.
A 2001 NWCA All-Star selection, Pritzlaff claimed three-straight Big Ten Conference 165-pound titles (1999-2001) for the Badgers. He posted a 135-15 career collegiate record, including a 43-1 mark as a senior, ranking fourth among Wisconsin's all-time winningest wrestlers. His .894 career winning percentage ranks third in Badger program history. Pritzlaff was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
Rutgers wrapped up another successful season this past winter during Pritzlaff's final year on staff, finishing No. 14 in the final NWCA Coaches Poll and producing multiple All-Americans for the eighth time in nine seasons under Goodale. Dylan Shawver (133) and Yaraslau Slavikouski (HWT) finished seventh in their respective weight classes at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, as Rutgers has produced at least one All-American in 10 of the past 11 years. Eight Scarlet Knights qualified for nationals, our most since all 10 starters qualified in 2016. RU also finished sixth at the 2024 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, which included an individual title from Shawver, seven conference placewinners and 87.5 team points - its best team result since 2016.
Rutgers finished 12-5 during the dual season and earned a final No. 14 ranking in the NWCA Coaches Poll - its 12th top-25 finish in the poll under Goodale. The Scarlet Knights once again finished in the top six in national home attendance as it averaged more than 4,000 per home dual in 2023-24. Twelve student-athletes earned Winter Academic All-Big Ten recognition, while three individuals - Slavikouski, John Poznanski and Anthony White - were named NWCA Scholar All-Americans.
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