Jimmy Kennedy is in his third season with the Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team. Kennedy joined the staff prior to the start of the 2022-23 season as Jake Varner moved to head up the efforts of the Penn State Olympic RTC/Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Kennedy is now beginning his third season on the Penn State staff.
Kennedy came to Penn State after serving as an assistant coach for the Northwestern Wildcats, which was preceded by an All-American career as a wrestler for the University of Illinois. Kennedy served as an assistant coach at Northwestern from 2018 through 2021.
He was a three-time All-American for the Illini, hitting the podium in 2008, 2009 and 2011. Kennedy ended his collegiate career with a 119-24 record. A native of Ingleside, Ill., and a graduate of Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, Ill., Kennedy also has a lengthy list of freestyle accolades. He was a member of the U.S. World Team in 2014 and finished second in the U.S. World Team Trials in 2013 and 2017.
Kennedy was the U.S. Open Champion in 2016, won the Paris International in 2017 and the Yasar Dogu in 2014. Kennedy won the Intercontinental Cup in 2013, the Guelph Open in 2012 and 2013 and the New York Athletic Club International in 2012.
Kennedy is s 2011 Illinois graduate.