Former Lehigh All-American Brad Dillon begins his 14th season on the coaching staff at his alma mater and his sixth as an Associate Head Coach. Dillon, a 2004 Lehigh graduate and two-year team captain, has spent the last 17 seasons as an assistant under Pat Santoro, including four seasons at Maryland and 13 at Lehigh.
Dillon has proven to be one of the most versatile coaches on staff, working in the practice room with wrestlers from nearly every weight class. He has also assisted in the recruiting efforts that helped bring in nationally-ranked recruiting classes at both schools, including the class that entered in the fall of 2012 that was ranked in the top three nationally. Dillon was instrumental in the development of Robert Hamlin, who went from NCAA qualifier at 174 as a freshman to a two-time EIWA Champion, three-time All-American and two-time NCAA finalist at 184 over his last three seasons. He has also aided in the development of two-time All-American Nathaniel Brown, who won an EIWA title at 174 in 2013 and reached the NCAA finals at 184 in 2015.
Over the last four seasons, Lehigh’s top four weights have produced nine EIWA champions and seven All-Americans. Dillon helped Jordan Kutler earn three consecutive EIWA titles and three straight All-America honors. Ryan Presich won an EIWA title and earned All-America honors, while Jordan Wood now owns four EIWA championships and earned his first NCAA podium finish in 2019.
Dillon amassed a record of 101-26 at Lehigh and ranks in the top 15 in school history for career victories. As a senior in 2004, Dillon set a school single-season record with 24 dual meet victories, and also had a record-string of 39 straight dual meet wins from 2002-2004. Dillon captured EIWA Championships at 174 in both his junior and senior seasons, and went on to earn All-American honors in each of his final two years, placing fifth in 2003 and fourth in 2004.
Off the mat, Dillon was an NWCA Academic All-American as a senior and was an Academic All-District At-Large selection by CoSIDA. Before graduating with a degree in Biology, Dillon earned the Athletics Department’s highest honor when he was named Lehigh’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2004. Dillon was raised in Allentown, and graduated from nearby Parkland High School.
High School: Emmaus H.S., Parkland H.S.
College Career: Lehigh University 1999-2004
College Degree: B.S. Biology, Lehigh
Coaching Career: Asst. Maryland (2004-2008), Asst. Lehigh (2008-present)
Career Highlights: Two-time EIWA Champion… two-time All-American… school record 39 dual match winning streak… Academic All-American.