Assistant to Replace Charlie Branch For 2005-06 Season; Search For Permanent Head Coach to Open Up Again in January
By Matt Krumrie “Senior Editor
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Eastern Michigan University is expected to name assistant coach John Lange interim head coach for the 2005-06 season, The Wrestling Mall has learned.
Lange replaces head coach Charlie Branch, who resigned for personal and family reasons in August. Branch coached at Eastern for five years and through his perseverance, his integrity and his hard work, he moved the program to a position of respect. A 1996 graduate of Virginia Military Institute where he was a four-time NCAA qualifier at 142, an NCAA All-American and four-time Southern Conference champion, Branch left his position with admiration and gratitude not only from his wrestlers but also from the University, the community, the alumni, and Eastern wrestling fans everywhere.
Lange joined the Eagles as assistant coach in 2000, coming from an assistant coaching position at the University of North Carolina. He had previously been an assistant at Hofstra. Lange is a 1998 graduate of Penn State University where he was an All-American, Big Ten Champion, and PSU’s Outstanding Wrestler at 158 pounds. He posted a 79-38 career record, won 25 matches by pin, and finished 3rd at the 1998 NCAA tournament.
An official announcement from the University is expected to come later today. Because of the timing of Branch’s announcement it was recommended by a search committee that Athletic Director Bob England appoint a coach on an interim basis, with a national search beginning in January with the goal of hiring a permanent head coach by the end of the wrestling season.
The Eagles bring in a solid freshman class this fall, and will be led by Jermaine Thompson, a sophomore 141-pounder who went 17-6 last season, in the 2005-06 season. Lange will inherit a team that has no seniors on the roster. There are six juniors, six sophomores and 21 freshman on the 33-man roster on the EMU Wrestling Web site . In addition, the construction of a new wrestling facility will be announced this season and the program will be fully funded next year for the first time in its history.
Eastern Michigan finished 7-10 in dual meets last season, including 1-4 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Eagles finished fifth at the MAC championships.
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