CLEVELAND, Ohio – Head coach Josh Moore of the Cleveland State University wrestling program announced his coaching staff for the upcoming 2018-19 season Thursday afternoon.
Moore named Craig 'Boomer' Fechko and former CSU standout Riley Shaw as assistant coaches and tabbed former NCAA champion Joe Pflug as the volunteer assistant coach.
Fechko served as the associate head coach at Buffalo during the 2017-18 campaign, his third year on staff with the Bulls, primarily working with the UB lightweights. He was the recruiting coordinator and the team's academic liaison while playing a vital role with all aspects of the program.
Fechko helped Bryan Lantry (133 pounds) become just the fifth wrestler in Buffalo history to qualify for the NCAA Championships on three occasions in the 2017-18 campaign. The Bulls also placed two student-athletes on the NWCA All-Academic Team and had four named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team.
Lantry finished one win shy of All-America status in 2017 with Fechko's assistance while Kyle Akins (125) also advanced to the NCAA's that season. As a team, the Bulls posted a dual record of 11-6, their second straight season with double-digit wins. Buffalo also finished with a school-record four Mid-American Conference wins.
In his first season with the Bulls, Fechko helped coach Lantry (133) and Colt Cotten (149) to the NCAA Championships. He also helped lead UB to a 10-9 dual meet record, as the Bulls posted their highest win total since the 2003-04 season, and its first win over a nationally ranked opponent in six seasons.
Recruiting classes that Fechko was responsible for assembling were recognized with top-20 status by both Intermat and The Open Mat in his time at Buffalo.
Fechko joined Buffalo's staff after one season as head coach at Dakota Wesleyan in 2014-15. The Tigers had two qualifiers to the NAIA National Championships, including an All-American. Fechko also helped Dakota Wesleyan to the seventh-highest team grade point average in the NAIA.
Fechko served as a volunteer assistant coach at Bloomsburg during the 2012-13 season where he helped six Huskies qualify for the NCAA Championships. Bloomsburg posted a 17-3 dual meet record and was the EWL Dual Meet Champion.
Prior to his time at Bloomsburg, Fechko served as a graduate assistant at Dakota Wesleyan from 2010-2012 and played a key role in both recruiting and day-to-day operations with the program. He helped DWU claim 15 selections to NAIA Nationals in his time as an assistant.
Fechko earned All-American honors as a collegian for the University of Findlay.
A native of Broadview Heights, Ohio, Fechko graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Heidelberg University in 2009. He then earned a Master of Arts degree in educational policy and administration from Dakota Wesleyan in 2012.
"Boomer has experience recruiting great student-athletes while also training them at the highest level," Moore said. "His organizational skills and willingness to serve our student-athletes and their well-being make him a great addition to our staff."
Riley Shaw will join the CSU staff after leaving his mark as one of the top athletes in the program's recent history. He was a three-time NCAA Championships qualifier and was a two-time Eastern Wrestling League champion at heavyweight. Shaw won 30 matches in his senior season in 2015-16, including two victories at NCAA's, and won over 100 matches in a Viking singlet.
A native of Washington, Ohio, Shaw earned a Bachelor's degree in political science from Cleveland State in 2016. He is currently enrolled in CSU's Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
"Riley had a great career at Cleveland State and is excited about giving back to the program and assisting our student-athletes," Moore said. "It is important to keep recent alumni around the program after graduation, and I am grateful to have his loyalty to CSU wrestling. Riley will work closely in developing our upper weights."
Joe Pflug returns to the collegiate coaching ranks and brings prior Division I coaching experience, having served as an assistant at Eastern Michigan for two seasons (2009-10, 2010-11).
Pflug was the 2006 NCAA Division III national champion at 157 pounds. He also finished in third place at NCAA's in 2007, earning his second All-American plaque. He was ranked No. 1 in the country during his senior year until a season-ending injury halted his bid for a second title. Pflug compiled an overall collegiate record of 60-5. He earned his degree in health and physical education from Heidelberg in 2009.
A 2002 graduate of Maple Heights High School in Maple Heights, Ohio, Pflug grappled his way to two state titles (2001, 2002) and a pair of state runner-up finishes (1999, 2000).
"Joe brings a great amount of experience and enthusiasm to our staff," Moore said. "He was regarded as one of the best Ohio high school wrestlers of his time. I'm excited to see the impact he will have on our student-athletes."
