Rutgers Wrestling Adds Program Legend Anthony Ashnault as Associate Head Coach

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 23: Anthony Ashnault of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is introduced during the championship finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 23, 2019 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | Getty Images Former Rutgers wrestler and program legend Anthony Ashnault has rejoined the Scarlet Knights coaching staff and will be the team’s new associate head coach, according to The Knight Report. Ashnault was on the Knights coaching staff from 2021 to 2023, but ended up joining Princeton’s coaching staff for two years before returning to the banks this offseason.

He joins Rutgers in place of assistant Steve Mytych, who stepped down last week. Last season with Ashnault on the coaching staff, Princeton had 5 wrestlers qualify for the NCAA tournament, including Marc-Anthony McGowan, who finished second among the 125-pounders. The Knights and the Tigers squared off once last season, with Rutgers earning a 28-9 win over Princeton.

Now that he has rejoined the Knights coaching staff as associate head coach, the hope is that he will have a similar impact on the program in a coaching role as he did when he was competing on the mat. During his time as a player, Ashnault won a national title in the 149-pound weight class in 2019. He was also a four-time all-American and a three-time Big Ten champion.

He also holds the record for the most wins at Rutgers with 123 victories and is in the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame.