Previously held similar post at Albion College
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University Athletic Director Rick Comley is proud to announce the hiring of Adam Wilson as the new head coach for the Women’s Wrestling program.
Wilson becomes the second head coach to guide the Wildcats as the program turns the page to its fifth season in 2025-26.
“We are thrilled to welcome Adam as the new head coach of our women’s wrestling program,” said Comley. “Adam brings a wealth of experience, a deep passion for the sport, and a proven commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the mat. As we continue to build a competitive and empowering program, we are confident that Adam will be an inspiring leader and a tremendous asset to our athletic department. We look forward to the future of women’s wrestling under his leadership and are excited for what’s ahead.”
Bringing vast knowledge and experience in the sport that dates back to his time as a student-athlete, Wilson has spent the past four years at Albion College in southern Michigan, where he served as the Director of Wrestling and Head Women’s Wrestling Coach.
“I want to thank the team of Rick Comley, Robin Burke, Mike Kaurala, and Holly Warchock for this opportunity to lead the Northern Michigan Women’s Wrestling team,” Wilson said. “NMU has extensive offerings with strong academic opportunities, a commitment to excellence in athletics, and a prime location on Lake Superior. It is fair for us to have high expectations. I want to move this program forward with individuals who are of high character, love to compete, and want to chase down NCAA Championships. I am excited to connect with our student-athletes and hit the ground running.”
While at Albion, Wilson led the reinstatement of Men’s Wrestling after a 40-year gap in sport sponsorship, as well as leading the establishment of the Women’s Wrestling program in 2020. Initially named the Head Men’s and Head Women’s Coach, he was promoted to the Director of Wrestling and Head Women’s Coach in 2024.
Between his time guiding the men’s and women’s programs, he coached 10 First Team All-Conference wrestlers, 32 NWCA Scholar All-Americans, 41 regional placewinners, and 18 national qualifiers.
Since June of 2016, he has also served as the National Teams Director for Michigan USA Wrestling. Elected to the Michigan USA Wrestling Executive Board, Wilson is responsible for oversight of the 14U (Boys/Girls), 16U (Boys/Girls), Junior (Boys/Girls) National Teams, equating to oversight of over 250 athletes annually. In that position, he is directly responsible for setting team selection procedures, creating National Team competition and training schedules, and appointing coaching staffs for each division.
From 2016-20, he was the Head Assistant Wrestling Coach at Olivet College. Before that, he had also spent time on the coaching staffs at Trine University and Washington and Lee University.
Wilson brings valuable experience of coaching a sport he played collegiately, as he wrestled at Olivet College from 2007-11. A four-year varsity letter winner and two-time captain, he was a two-time Mid States Conference Champion, a three-time NCAA Midwest Regional place winner, a member of the 2011 NCAA Midwest Regional Championship team, and a member of the 2009 NWCA Scholar All-American Team that earned a 9th place finish.
His career awards and certifications include:
? National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) – Leadership Academy Graduate
? USA Wrestling Bronze Certification
? Virginia USA Wrestling “Person of the Year”
? Induction into Harper Creek High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from Olivet College in 2011 and a Master’s of Higher Education Administration from Upper Iowa in 2014. He also has experience in higher education teaching from Olivet College, which includes instruction in Health and Human Performance.
