Presbyterian College and Director of Athletics announced Monday the addition of Mark Cody as the inaugural Director of Wrestling. Cody, who most recently served as head wrestling coach at University of Oklahoma, will oversee both the men’s and women’s wrestling programs.

“Throughout the hiring process, I’ve come to realize that Presbyterian College has outstanding leadership with the support of Athletics Director Danny Sterling and President Bob Staton,” said Cody. “They have a great vision as evidenced by the announcement of both men’s and women’s Division I wrestling. I look forward to a great partnership with the outstanding staff at Presbyterian College.”

Cody led the Sooners to four top-13 finishes, including a 10th place finish in 2014. Under his leadership, the Sooners produced 10 All-Americans, and three national finalists, including two National Champions, Kendric Maple (2013), and Cody Brewer (2015).

Cody was also instrumental in developing wrestlers off the mat and in fostering an OU Wrestling presence in the community. His student-athletes earned a total of 13 National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-America honors, and OU’s six Academic All-Americans during the 2013-14 school year were most in the nation. He also instituted an anti-bullying campaign in 2015 in which his wrestlers and staff routinely spoke to students at area elementary schools.

Cody came to Oklahoma after nine years at American, where he led the Eagles to a program-best fifth-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Championships. The team produced three All-Americans after qualifying six for the tournament, while also posting a school record 3.48 grade point average.

“This is a tremendous hire for the Presbyterian men’s and women’s wrestling programs,” said Sterling. “His years of experience at the highest levels of collegiate wrestling and excellent reputation will give the Blue Hose a strong foundation right out of the gate. I am thrilled that he is joining the PC family.”

Cody took over the American program after it had been dropped and then resurrected with just 4.5 scholarships available for seven wrestlers. In 2005, the Eagles broke through with their first national qualifiers. The team went on to post top-25 team finishes in the NCAA Tournament from 2006-2011. In 2008, American added wrestling as only its third fully-funded sport.

His tenure at American included the school’s first national champion, 14 All-Americans and 16 NCAA qualifiers (all since 2005) and 21 academic All-Americans. His American teams were strong in the classroom as well, earning the highest GPA in Division I wrestling in 2008 and 2009, while finishing second in 2010.

Cody came to American after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State. He helped OSU to a Big 12 Championship and a fifth-place finish at the 2002 NCAA Championships. In addition, the squad earned recognition from the NWCA as a top-25 academic team, and two were named Academic All-America by the NWCA. Nine were also named to the Academic All-Big 12 team.

Before joining Oklahoma State, Cody served as the upper-weights coach for 12 years at the Nebraska. During that time, he was responsible for bringing in some of the nation’s top recruiting classes, including national champions Tolly Thompson (Hwt.) and Brad Vering (197). Vering later became a two-time Olympian with Cody in his corner.

While Cody was at Nebraska, 23 Cornhuskers were named All-America, including Rulon Gardner, who later captured the heavyweight gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Cody spent the 1986-87 season as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State. He was also an assistant at Bloomsburg University during the 1985-86 season and for the University of Missouri in 1984-85.

From Binghamton, N.Y., Cody was a three-time All-American as a wrestler in college. He spent two years at the State University of New York at Delhi before transferring to Missouri in 1983. His greatest success came during his senior season of 1984-85 when he earned All-America status and was named the team’s most outstanding wrestler. He graduated from Bellevue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business.

A member of the New York Athletic Club, he was a 198-pound finalist at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials.

A native of Binghamton, N.Y., Cody and his wife, Holly, have four sons, George, Charlie, Henry and Norman.

The Cody File
Hometown………. Binghamton, N.Y.
College……………. Bellevue University, 1985
Family…………….. wife Holly, sons George, Charlie, Henry, and Norman

Coaching History
2011-2016……….. Oklahoma Head Coach
2002-2011……….. American Head Coach
2000-2002……….. Oklahoma State Assistant Coach
1988-2000……….. Nebraska Assistant Coach
1986-1987……….. Oklahoma State Assistant Coach
1985-1986……….. Bloomsburg Assistant Coach
1984-1985……….. Missouri Assistant Coach

Coaching Accomplishments

• 2011 NWCA National Wrestling Coach of the Year
• Led American to a fifth-place finish at NCAAs in 2011
• His 2011 team also posted a school-record 3.48 GPA
• Produced 22 All-Americans since 2005
• 32 of his wrestlers earned All-Academic team honors