BELLEVUE, Neb. — Bellevue University Athletics announced today the appointment of Matt Atwood as the first-ever head coach for the Bruins' women's wrestling program. The addition of the sport, set to begin competition in the 2026-27 academic year, marks a significant expansion of the university's athletic department.
Atwood arrives in Bellevue with a championship background, having spent the last several seasons building a national contender at the University of Providence and previously leading the program at Midland University.
The addition of women's and men's wrestling grows the Bellevue University athletic department, under the guidance of athletic director Ed Lehotak, to 16 sports.
"Launching a women's wrestling program from the ground up requires a leader with vision and a deep commitment to the sport, and Matt Atwood is exactly that person," Lehotak said. "Matt's extensive background and his passion for growing women's wrestling make him the ideal choice to build this program. With the 2026-27 inaugural season on the horizon, pairing Matt's expertise on the women's side with Josh Watts for the men ensures we have the strongest possible foundation for Bellevue wrestling. Matt's ability to recruit and mentor high-level talent is a game-changer for us, and we couldn't be more excited to see him lead our women's team into this new era."
"First and foremost, I want to thank Bellevue University and the hiring committee for the opportunity to lead the inaugural women's wrestling program," Atwood said. "The application process was awesome. It was very evident that Bellevue carries its culture in high regard, and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of that."
Atwood's tenure at the University of Providence was marked by sustained national success. Under his leadership, the Argos never finished outside the top seven nationally, including a program-best fourth-place finish at the 2026 NAIA National Championships.
He also developed a long list of standout performers during his time at Providence, coaching 34 All-Americans, four national champions, and one U.S. National Team member. Most recently, in the 2025-26 season, Atwood coached Erin Hikiji to her second national title at 103 pounds while guiding the Argos to a runner-up finish at the National Duals, the highest finish in program history.
The move also represents a return of collegiate wrestling to the Omaha area. Atwood pointed to the region's strong wrestling tradition as he prepares to build the Bruins' program from the ground up.
"This opportunity not only allows me to represent an amazing institution, but also gives me the opportunity to bring collegiate wrestling back to the Omaha community," Atwood said. "So many of my friends, coaches, and mentors came from this community, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here. This program is going to be something special, and I'm thrilled to have all your love and support."
As the inaugural head coach, Atwood will oversee all aspects of program development, including recruiting and establishing a competitive culture within the NAIA. His previous experience at Midland University, where he led the Warriors to three consecutive top-10 national finishes, provides a strong blueprint for success in Nebraska.
Off the mat, Atwood enjoys hunting, fly fishing, kayaking, and mountain biking. He is also an avid woodworker and will be relocating to the area with his wife, Breanna, and their two-year-old daughter, Nellie.
