Wirnsberger Adds Two Assistant Coaches to Bucknell Wrestling Staff
9/11/2023 11:52:00 AM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell wrestling head coach Dan Wirnsberger announced the addition of two new assistant coaches to his staff. Donny Ooton and Thomas Flitz will help lead the Bison during the 2023-24 campaign, which begins Nov. 11 at Oklahoma State.
"I am very pleased with how this coaching staff has come together. This is a dynamite staff with a lot of energy and coaching experience," said Wirnsberger. "There is no doubt that Coach Smith, Coach Flitz, and Coach Ooton will play an important role and have an immediate impact on our student-athletes and their overall development."
Ooton is entering his second stint as an assistant coach with Bucknell. He previously helped coach the Bison in 2009 and 2010. Ooton spent the last 13 years holding various coaching positions in his home state of Virginia while also pursuing a professional MMA career. He accumulated an 11-1 amateur record in the sport as well a 5-2 professional record.
Outside of his five-year MMA career, Ooton spent time as an assistant coach with Virginia Team Predator, was head coach at Glen Allen High School, and has been a program director with Atlantic Shores Christian Schools.
While leading the Glen Allen Jaguars, Ooton coached six individual 5A state qualifiers, a 2016 Virginia state placer, as well as the 2015 Virginia state champion at 171 lbs. Most recently as assistant coach with the highly-competitive Virginia Team Predator Youth and High School Club in Chesterfield, Va., Ooton was responsible for the development of athletes based on their individual goals and desires to compete at an elite level. The program has an established history of producing national champions, All-Americans, state champions and state placers, and Ooton helped continue that tradition from 2010-2023.
Beginning in 2021, Ooton took on a role with Atlantic Shores Christian Schools where he held a bevy of responsibilities, including the introduction of a new sports program, developing a K-12 sports program, and scheduling competitions, practices and camps.
During Ooton's first stint at Bucknell, the wrestling team produced three Division I All-Americans, six NCAA qualifiers in 2009, and 10 NCAA qualifiers overall during his time. He also coached the school's first EIWA Champion, Andy Rendos (165 lbs.), in 2010.
Ooton first entered the coaching ranks in 2008 at Holley Central School in New York after putting together a successful wrestling career of his own. Originally recruited by Virginia Tech, he was a two-year starter before transferring to SUNY Brockport. Ooton went on to become a two-time All-American with the Golden Eagles, amassing a record of 88-36.
In high school, Ooton was a three-time state champion and All-American with a 178-14 record at Great Bridge in Chesapeake, Va. Ooton and his wife, Christina, have two children: DJ and Vivian.
Flitz arrives in Lewisburg after previously serving as director of operations with the Virginia Cavaliers wrestling program. Virginia went 8-6 with Flitz on staff and sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
Before Virginia, Flitz put together a successful collegiate career at Appalachian State where he was a three-time NCAA qualifier and 2022 SoCon Champion at 174 pounds. He was a three-time finalist at the SoCon Championships for his career. He compiled 84 wins in his career and was a two-time All-SoCon honoree. Flitz was also a three-time NWCA Scholar All-American in his career with the Mountaineers.
Flitz is a native of Monroe, N.C. and attended Piedmont High School where he was an All-State wrestler, finishing third at the 2016 state championships and amassing a 164-26 career record.
The addition of Ooton and Flitz rounds out the Bison coaching staff, with assistant coach Tyler Smith back for a third season.