In his 10th season at Cleveland State, head coach Jack Effner combines a strong passion and work ethic that have undoubtedly had an effect on his wrestlers, who in turn translate Effner's fiery coaching style into wins on the wrestling mat.

Effner has mentored 35 NCAA qualifiers and five Eastern Wrestling League Champions during his tenure at CSU. In each of the last six years, at least three Vikings have advanced to the national championship. With a young and talented group of wrestlers wearing the green and white this season, Effner will attempt to duplicate that feat this season.

Last season, Effner guided the Vikings to 10 wins, the second most under his tenure. In addition, he helped three grapplers earn a spot at the NCAA Championship.

Effner's most successful season at the helm of the Vikings came in 2002-03, when CSU went 13-6 in dual matches, the most wins since the 1978-79 Vikings whon 15, and set a school record-tying six wrestlers to the NCAA Championship.

In just his second season at CSU, 1999-00, Effner led the Vikings to a 9-8-1 record, the program's first winning season in the previous eight years.

The Vikings have also been winners in the classroom under Effner's tutelage, finishing in the top 20 in the nation in grade point average in eight of the last nine seasons. The 2000 edition of the Vikings posted the school's highest academic ranking, placing seventh out of nearly 100 schools across the nation.

Effner came to Cleveland State in 1998 after serving at the head coach at Army for nine years. While at West Point, Effner compiled an 87-45-5 record and never had a losing season. He led 17 Cadets to the NCAA Championship, and his 87 dual meet wins are still the third-highest by any coach in the U.S. Military Academy's history.

Effner's best season at Army came during the 1989-90 season, when he led the Cadets to a 15-3-1 mark and a third place finish in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championship. Army would have three more seasons with 11 or more wins during Effner's tenure, including two seasons (91-92 and 93-94) in that he led the Cadets to at least 12 wins.

Before being named Army's head coach, Effner was an assistant coach at Army during the 1988-89 season, and was an assistant coach at Clemson from January 1987 until November 1988.

Effner enjoyed a stellar wrestling career at Indiana State, capturing All-America honors twice and advancing to the NCAA Championship three times at 142 pounds. He placed fifth in the nation as a senior in 1986 and sixth as a junior. His 128 victories stand third on the school's all-time list.

Effner won a state championship in high school at 132 pounds in 1982 to cap off a perfect 35-0 season while at South Vigo High School in Terre Haute, Ind.

Effner earned his bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Indiana State in 1986. He earned his master's degree in industrial education from Clemson in 1993, and in Counseling & Education from Long Island in 1997.

He and his wife Lori have two sons, Jason (26) and Marcus (21), and a daughter, Kayla (17). The Effners reside in Garfield Heights, Ohio.