Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Welcomes Kennedy as Volunteer Assistant Coach
8/17/2018 3:00:00 PM | Wrestling
EVANSTON, Ill. — Jimmy Kennedy has been added to the coaching staff of the Northwestern wrestling team as a volunteer assistant coach, Head Coach Matt Storniolo announced.
"I am thrilled to welcome Jimmy to our coaching staff," said Storniolo. "He was a phenomenal competitor, both in college and on the senior level, and I have no doubt that he will achieve the same success as a coach. Jimmy will make an immediate impact in the development of our student-athletes. We could not be more excited to welcome him to our Wildcat Wrestling family."
A three-time All-American, Kennedy began his successful wrestling career nearby at Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, Illinois.
At the University of Illinois, he qualified all four years for the NCAA Championships. Kennedy finished in the top-five in the nation in 2008, 2009, and 2011 and recorded 119 wins against only 24 losses in his career.
Kennedy comes to the 'Cats after wrestling for the New York Athletic Club, where he most recently placed second at the World Team Trials in 2017. He was a U.S. World Team member in 2014 and, in 2016, was a U.S. Open Champion.
"I couldn't be more excited to join the staff here at Northwestern," said Kennedy. "It is my goal to help these young men meet and exceed their current goals and expectations. I look forward to the opportunity to build relationships with each and every one of them and to hopefully be the type of coach that inspires them to be great at everything they do, not just wrestling."
Coming off an 11-win season, Northwestern is set to start their 2018-19 campaign on Nov. 4 at North Dakota State. The season will include a return to the new Welsh-Ryan Arena, which is undergoing $110 million in renovations.
"I am thrilled to welcome Jimmy to our coaching staff," said Storniolo. "He was a phenomenal competitor, both in college and on the senior level, and I have no doubt that he will achieve the same success as a coach. Jimmy will make an immediate impact in the development of our student-athletes. We could not be more excited to welcome him to our Wildcat Wrestling family."
A three-time All-American, Kennedy began his successful wrestling career nearby at Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, Illinois.
At the University of Illinois, he qualified all four years for the NCAA Championships. Kennedy finished in the top-five in the nation in 2008, 2009, and 2011 and recorded 119 wins against only 24 losses in his career.
Kennedy comes to the 'Cats after wrestling for the New York Athletic Club, where he most recently placed second at the World Team Trials in 2017. He was a U.S. World Team member in 2014 and, in 2016, was a U.S. Open Champion.
"I couldn't be more excited to join the staff here at Northwestern," said Kennedy. "It is my goal to help these young men meet and exceed their current goals and expectations. I look forward to the opportunity to build relationships with each and every one of them and to hopefully be the type of coach that inspires them to be great at everything they do, not just wrestling."
Coming off an 11-win season, Northwestern is set to start their 2018-19 campaign on Nov. 4 at North Dakota State. The season will include a return to the new Welsh-Ryan Arena, which is undergoing $110 million in renovations.
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