Director of Wrestling Operations

Matt Dernlan

Matt Dernlan's impact on the Penn State wrestling program cannot be understated and the long-time fixture in national circles has assumed new and expanded duties as Penn State's main on-staff administrator and Director of Wrestling Operations.

Originally coming to Penn State to assume similar but scaled back duties back in 2003, Dernlan's vision for Penn State's ascent in the future will serve him well as he embarks upon a vital part of Penn State wrestling's future. Dernlan is in his sixth year with the Nittany Lion wrestling program. He has spent time as both the Director of Operations and assistant coach. Dernlan's efforts helped the Lion's secure one of the nation's top recruiting classes in both 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07, as well as last year's superb class. His efforts have also laid the groundwork for future recruiting classes at Penn State.

Dernlan is a 1996 graduate of Liberty University where he was an NCAA qualifier in wrestling. He went on to earn a master's degree in sport administration from Bowling Green in 2002 and is currently working toward a doctorate in higher education.

Dernlan had an outstanding wrestling career. He was inducted into the Ohio High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 following a career in which he was a three-time, undefeated Ohio State Champion (1989-91) and a three-time USA Wrestling High School All-American (1989-91). He went on to become an NCAA qualifier at Liberty.

Dernlan previously served as an assistant coach at Ohio Northern University (2001-2004) and at St. Paris Graham High School in Ohio (1997-99) and was an assistant director at Jeff Jordan's State Champ Camps (1995-98 &1999-2000). He also has experience serving as the Assistant Director of the Division III NCAA Wrestling Tournament (2003) and as the Manager of Development for USA Wrestling (1998-99), where he managed efforts for the $10 million "Wrestling for the Next Millennium" capital campaign.

Matt and his wife, Carie, have two daughters, Ava and Aubrey.