A three-time All-American and 1995 NCAA Champion (142) at Penn State, John Hughes is in his fifth season as a full-time assistant with Penn State. One of the toughest wrestlers in the program[apos]s history, Hughes has made an immediate impact in the training room and in Penn State[apos]s recent highly ranked recruiting efforts.
Hughes earned a bachelor[apos]s degree in landscape contracting from Penn State in 2002 and has served as the head coach for the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club since 2001, working closely both with the Penn State team and community wrestlers during that time. He also has served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Wrestling Club (2000-2001) and worked as an environmental technician for Groundwater and Environmental Services, Inc.
[quote]Now a veteran of our staff, John has established himself as as an outstanding collegiate coach,[quote] Sunderland said. [quote]His impact on our program as a coach has been immediate and profound.[quote]
Hughes ranks among the most successful wrestlers in the long history of Pennsylvania wrestling and the Penn State program. He won four PIAA State Championships at Benton High School, becoming, at the time, just the seventh wrestler to accomplish the feat in state history. He went on to become one of 17 men to earn All-America honors three or more times at Penn State, reaching the NCAA finals twice during his career. He competed in four NCAA Tournaments helping Penn State to four top five team finishes, including third place finishes in 1992 and 1994.
Hughes won a Big Ten Championship in 1995 and ranks seventh all-time at Penn State with 121 wins. He also won a gold medal at the 1994 Pan Am Games and was a 1994 University Freestyle National Champion.
John and his wife, Melissa, had their first child, Riley, in March of 2005.