ASU wrestling to begin national search to replace Thom Ortiz

April 15, 2009

Don Bocchi, Senior Associate Athletic Director at Arizona State University, has announced a change in leadership for the Sun Devil wrestling program with the departure of eight-year head coach <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/ortiz_thom00.html">Thom Ortiz</a>. A national search for his replacement will begin immediately.<separator></separator>“I want to thank <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/ortiz_thom00.html">Thom Ortiz</a> for his eight years of service and dedication to the Sun Devil program,” Bocchi said. “It is never easy to see one of your own leave, but we believe our program can return to the top of the national standings, as well as the Pac-10 Conference, and that begins immediately as we start our search for Thom’s replacement.”<separator></separator>Ortiz, a former All-American and Pac-10 champion at ASU, has served as the head coach for his Alma mater since the 2001-02 season. During his time in the Valley of the Sun, his teams posted an overall record of 79-60-1 and went 44-13-0 against Pac-10 foes.<separator></separator>During the 2008-09 season, Ortiz worked with a pair of All-Americans as both <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/robles_anthony00.html"… Robles</a> (125) and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/drouin_chris00.html">C… Drouin</a> (141) advanced to the national semifinals before placing fourth and sixth, respectively. During his eight-year tenure, Ortiz’ Sun Devils tallied 17 All-America honors with three national finalists, including 2003 NCAA Champion <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/larkin_eric00.html">Er… Larkin</a> (149).