BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After more than a quarter-century of service to Lehigh wrestling as a coach, including the last 18 seasons as head coach, Pat Santoro is announcing his retirement from his position as the Lawrence White Head Coach of Men's Wrestling.

Former Lehigh All-American and current Associate Head Coach Brad Dillon '04 will lead the Mountain Hawks into the 2026-27 season.

"Pat Santoro represents the very best of Lehigh University and college wrestling," said Lehigh's Murray H. Goodman '48 Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. "For more than a quarter century—first as an elite assistant and then for 18 exceptional seasons as our head coach—Pat has led this program with unmatched integrity, passion, and competitive excellence. His legacy is not just measured by the six EIWA team titles or the dozens of All-Americans he mentored, but by the profound, lifelong impact he has made on generations of student-athletes. We are deeply grateful for his tireless service, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to the Brown and White, and we wish him and his family the absolute best in this next chapter."

"After much prayer, reflection, and many conversations with my family, I've made the difficult decision to step away from Lehigh wrestling," Santoro said. "This program has been such a huge part of my life and a great blessing to me and my family.  It's hard to put into words what Lehigh wrestling has meant to me. When I look back, what stands out most are the people and the relationships.  I'm incredibly grateful for the student-athletes who trusted us, the coaches and staff who gave so much, and the alumni, parents, and supporters who have poured into this program over the years. Lehigh wrestling has given me far more than I could ever give back, and I will always carry those memories and relationships with me."

After playing an integral role to Lehigh wrestling's renaissance in the late 1990s under Greg Strobel, Santoro returned to Bethlehem in 2008 and helped Lehigh maintain its place as the preeminent program in the EIWA.

In 18 seasons, Lehigh won six EIWA titles and finished in the top two 15 times. The Mountain Hawks won four consecutive team titles from 2018-2021 and are coming off back-to-back EIWA team championships, bringing their league-leading total to 40.

A seven-time EIWA Coach of the Year, Santoro was named NWCA National Coach of the Year in 2018 after leading Lehigh to a 12-3 dual record and its first EIWA team title in 12 years. The 2018 team title kicked off an active stretch of six EIWA titles in the last nine seasons for the Mountain Hawks.

Santoro mentored a pair of NCAA Champions, Zach Rey in 2011 and Darian Cruz in 2017. He led 29 individuals to a total of 47 EIWA titles, while guiding 22 men to 39 total All-American honors. Lehigh wrestlers have won 13 individual EIWA titles over the last three tournaments.

At the NCAA Championships, Santoro's wrestlers earned three or more All-America honors eight times, with a high of four in 2012. Lehigh also had five wrestlers recognized as All-Americans after the cancellation of the 2020 tournament. Under Santoro's leadership, Lehigh posted back-to-back top 10 NCAA finishes in 2011 and 2012 and finished in the top 15 at the national tournament 10 times.

Santoro posted a 202-93-1 dual meet record in his 18 seasons at Lehigh. He set a school record with 23 dual victories in his first season back in Bethlehem, and picked up his 200th dual win as Lehigh's head coach in a 34-9 triumph at Morgan State on Feb. 6, 2026.

The 2025-26 season saw Lehigh go 11-7 in duals and win its second straight EIWA championship, powered by five individual champions. The Mountain Hawks qualified six wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in Cleveland, where sophomore Luke Stanich led the way, earning All-America honors with a third-place finish at 141. Prior to last season, Stanich won a U20 World Championship at 65 kg, the first for a Lehigh wrestler.

Before returning to Lehigh in 2008, Santoro spent the previous five years as the head coach at the University of Maryland, where he helped resurrect the Terrapins' program.

Prior to his stint at Maryland, Santoro served as an assistant at Lehigh for nine years, including eight seasons as the top assistant on Greg Strobel's staff. During his initial tenure, Santoro was part of some of the most successful teams in school history. In 2003, Santoro was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, after helping guide the Brown and White to its third EIWA title in four years, and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, at the time the program's best finish in 24 years.

Dillon has worked alongside Santoro for the last 22 seasons, including four at Maryland and 18 at Lehigh. He will be the ninth head coach in Lehigh men's wrestling history.

"As we look ahead to the 2026-27 season, there is no one better suited to step into a leadership role than Brad Dillon," Gibson said. "As a former Lehigh All-American and a cornerstone of our coaching staff for nearly two decades, Brad embodies the heart, grit, and rich tradition of this program. He has earned the respect of the entire wrestling community, and his deep connection to our student-athletes and alumni makes this a seamless transition."

"I am both honored and excited to lead Lehigh's wrestling program," Dillon said. "I would like to thank President Joseph Helble and Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson for this opportunity. I look forward to continuing the rich tradition of Lehigh wrestling as our student-athletes chase excellence in all aspects of their lives. I would also like to thank Pat for the incredible opportunities he provided me both as a student-athlete and as a coach. Having worked together for more than two decades, he has taught me how to create an environment where people feel valued and inspired to be their best selves on and off the mat.  Pat is a truly exceptional coach, but more than that, he is the best human being I know. I simply could not have asked for a better coach, mentor, and friend."

In his time at Lehigh, Dillon has proven to be one of the most versatile coaches on staff, working in the practice room with wrestlers from nearly every weight class. He has also assisted in the recruiting efforts that helped bring in nationally ranked recruiting classes at Lehigh, including the class that entered in the fall of 2012 that was ranked in the top three nationally. Dillon was instrumental in the development of Robert Hamlin, who went from NCAA qualifier at 174 as a freshman to a two-time EIWA Champion, three-time All-American and two-time NCAA finalist at 184 over his last three seasons. He has also aided in the development of two-time All-American Nathaniel Brown, who won an EIWA title at 174 in 2013 and reached the NCAA finals at 184 in 2015.

Over the last nine seasons, Lehigh's top four weights have produced 16 EIWA champions and 10 All-Americans. Dillon helped Jordan Kutler earn three consecutive EIWA titles and three straight All-America honors. Ryan Preisch won an EIWA title and earned All-America honors, while Jordan Wood owns five EIWA championships and was a three-time All-American. Over the last three seasons, Michael Beard won back-to-back EIWA titles at 197 while Nathan Taylor and Owen Trephan won conference championships at 285. Beard (2024) and Trephan (2025) also earned All-America honors during that time.

Dillon amassed a record of 101-26 at Lehigh and ranks in the top 15 in school history for career victories. As a senior in 2004, Dillon set a school single-season record with 24 dual meet victories, and also had a record-string of 39 straight dual meet wins from 2002-2004. Dillon captured EIWA Championships at 174 in both his junior and senior seasons, and went on to earn All-American honors in each of his final two years, placing fifth in 2003 and fourth in 2004.

Prior to returning to Lehigh as an assistant coach, Dillon spent four seasons as an assistant at Maryland alongside Santoro. Their time in College Park was highlighted by an ACC title in 2008.

Off the mat, Dillon was an NWCA Academic All-American as a senior and was an Academic All-District At-Large selection. Before graduating with a degree in Biology, Dillon earned the Athletics Department's highest honor when he was named Lehigh's Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2004. Dillon was raised in Allentown, and graduated from nearby Parkland High School. He is married to Shelby Hoppis.