Case Western Reserve University Director of Athletics Amy Backus recently announced the hiring of Danny Song as the Head Coach of the Spartans’ Wrestling team.
“The wrestling program at CWRU has a long and storied history of success. I am thrilled to announce that Danny Song will be our next head coach of the Spartans,” Backus said.
Song, who becomes the fourth head coach of the CWRU program since the Federation of Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University in 1967, comes to Cleveland following a two-year stint as an assistant coach with the United States Naval Academy. During his time on the staff, Song helped coach the Midshipmen to an 8-6 record, while also serving as team’s recruiting co-coordinator, bringing in a unanimous top-15 NCAA Division I class in 2015. While at Navy, Song worked under current USA Wrestling Olympic Head Coach Bruce Bennett.
Prior to his time at Navy, Song served as an assistant coach at Bloomsburg University for the 2012-13 season, helping the team to a 17-3 record and qualifying six wrestlers for the NCAA Championships, before assuming the role of interim head coach in the spring of 2013.
He began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Iowa, working as the team’s assistant coach and strength coordinator from 2009-12, aiding the squad to three top-three finishes at the NCAA Tournament, including the Team Championship in 2010.
“Danny’s experience at the University of Iowa and the United States Naval Academy has provided him with the skills and knowledge to create an exciting and successful program for our young men,” Backus said. “His mentors have been some of the best on the national wrestling scene and we are looking forward to building on our fine tradition here at Case Western Reserve University.”
Song, a Hauppauge, New York native graduated from Iowa in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
“First, I would like to thank Amy Backus and the athletic staff at Case Western Reserve University for believing in me. This is a great fit for me and my wife,” said Song. “I also want to thank all those who have mentored me for the incredible ongoing education, preparing me to become the head wrestling coach at Case Western Reserve. I look forward to developing relationships with each of the individuals that make up the program and engaging them to build on the rich history of success of the wrestling team at Case Western Reserve University.”
CWRU’s wrestling program has a long history of excellence both on the mat and in the classroom. Overall, Case Western Reserve has produced 19 All-Americans, four NCAA National Champions and 38 NWCA Scholar All-Americans. The program has also ranked in the top-10 in the nation for team grade point average five times with the No. 1 ranking in Division III in 2007.