Husker Wrestling: James Green Stepping Down, Robert Kokesh Elevated To Assistant
Nebraska loses one Husker legend from its staff but elevates another to the vacant spot on the coaching staff
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Nebraska University assistant coach James Green is shown during the NCAA Division 1 wrestling national championship finals on March 22nd, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Nebraska assistant coach James Green announced Wednesday that he is stepping down from the Husker staff. A four-time All-American for Nebraska, Green initially returned in the summer of 2023 to train at the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center, but he was added to the staff shortly after.
Internationally, Green has been excellent for Team USA — he made an astonishing seven World Teams at 70kg and took home World silver in 2017 and bronze in 2015. Green has been instrumental in the development and success of Nebraska’s middle weights over the past three seasons — Ridge Lovett (149 pounds) and Antrell Taylor (157) both won NCAA titles with Green serving as a coach, mentor and training partner. Also, Christopher Minto placed fourth as a freshman at 165 and second as a sophomore at 174.
Still actively competing, Green just won the US Open Championship up at 74 kg and is sitting out to Final X where he will attempt to make his eighth World Team for Team USA. While I initially returned to Nebraska to train and compete throughout this quad leading up to the LA Olympics, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join the coaching staff. It’s been a great experience coaching at my alma mater and being part of two historic seasons… pic.
twitter. com/beZlkUFWeI — James Green (@WhoIsJamesG) April 29, 2026 Green will stay in Lincoln to train through the summer and focus on making the World Championships, and he has not stated his next move, but the speculation is that he’s going to join Virginia Tech’s coaching staff, either as its Associate Head Coach or as an assistant — both positions are currently open. Green previously trained at Virginia Tech at the Southeast Regional Training Center for nearly two years from 2020 through 2022 before being named USA Wrestling’s National Freestyle Developmental Coach.