NAPERVILLE, Ill.- After 16 years at the head of the North Central College wrestling program, Athletic Director Jim Miller recently announced the hiring of Eric Keller as his successor. Keller comes to North Central from NCAA Division III wrestling powerhouse Wartburg College (Iowa).
“I really wanted to hire somebody that was going to be even better, “said Miller. “Our guys know who they’re going to get with Eric, someone who has produced All-Americans and knows what it takes to be successful at the conference and national levels. ”
Keller has been an assistant at Wartburg since 2000. During that time, he has helped guide 10 NCAA III champions, two runners-up, 32 national-place winners and 15 Academic All-Americans. Wartburg won the 2003 and 2004 NCAA III championships, in addition to conference titles in each of Keller’s five seasons in Waverly. He served as the assistant wrestling and strength and conditioning coach at University of Northern Iowa from 1999-2000.
Keller earned his degree in health and physical education from UNI in 1999. As a student-athlete he was an NCAA All-American and Academic All-American, a world team wrestling trials qualifier, Northern Plains Regional Olympic champion and UNI team captain (1998-99). He was also a two-time Iowa state champion, compiling a 161-10-1 record in the high-school ranks. Keller expects to receive his master’s degree in health and physical education/teaching and coaching from Northern Iowa this fall.
“His personal success will gain him immediate respect, “Miller said. “Eric is very energetic and has really bought into Division III athletics. He has the know-how and technique down to be a great coach. ”
Keller is currently with the U.S. National Team in Turkey. He and his fiancé, Valerie, look forward to moving to Naperville.
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