Bo Jordan (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State University wrestling program staff includes two new faces and two familiar names serving in new roles for the 2018-19 season. Anthony Ralph, the team's volunteer coach the last two years, has been promoted to director of recruiting & operations while four-time All-American Bo Jordan takes over the volunteer coach duties following his graduation. In addition, Riley Ross and Ryan Mantel are also on board as the director of wresting sports science & performance and assistant director of operations, respectively.
Ralph is no stranger to team trophies having ended six of this last nine seasons as a Big Ten champion (2017, 2018) or national champion (2014 NCAA D-III; 2010, 2011, 2012 NAIA) for Ohio State and Notre Dame College. His recruiting prowess was responsible for bringing in the No. 1-ranked class in the country for five straight years (20012-16) according to Amateur Wrestling News and has found continued success attracting premier prospects to call Columbus home. Ralph was a talented grappler himself, seizing the 157-pound Mid-American Conference title and advancing to the 1997 D-I NCAA Championships.
Jordan wrapped up his collegiate competition this past season with a total of 89 career victories. He's a former Big Ten champion, NCAA finalist and one of the most decorated wrestlers in Ohio State history as four-time All-American. Jordan will serve as an example of a student-athlete, too, owner of three NWCA All-Academic awards.
Ross will be responsible for integrating analytics, technology, and strength and conditioning strategies for one of the nation's elite programs. He comes to Ohio State with a unique background in performance, assessment and prescriptions, as well as analytics in the tactical and private sector. Prior, he was a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Specialist with 7th Special Operations Forces soldiers from an anti-terrorism task force in Florida. On the mat, Ross was a two-time NCAA D-II All-American at Nebraska-Kearney.
Mantel coached high school wrestling for five years in central Indiana before moving to Columbus to pursue a graduate degree in sport management. The Ball State graduate will assist Ralph with much of the program operations tasks and focus extensively on running camps and clinics.
