Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has announced that Donny Pritzlaff of Columbia University has been named the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's National Coach of the Year, presented by Defense Soap.
Donny Pritzlaff was named Columbia University's Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling on June 18, 2024, and has quickly elevated the program to national relevance. This season Pritzlaff guided the Lions to an 11-3 dual record and a perfect 5-0 mark in Ivy League competition, securing the program's first regular season conference title since 1982. Columbia followed with a runner-up finish at the Ivy League Championships, producing three conference champions and qualifying six wrestlers for the NCAA Championships.
"Coach Pritzlaff has made an immediate and lasting impact at Columbia, guiding the program to historic success in a very short time," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "Winning an Ivy League title and positioning his team for national success reflects his leadership, vision, and ability to develop student-athletes at the highest level."
NCAA Division I Men's National Coach of the Year Finalists
- Tony Robie - Virginia Tech
- Tom Ryan - Ohio State
- David Taylor - Oklahoma State
- Pat Santoro - Lehigh
- Donny Pritzlaff - Columbia
- John Hangey - Rider
- Jon Sioredas - Cal Poly
- Chris Pendleton - Oregon State
- Ned Shuck - Bellarmine
