NW Arkansas News

LeRoy Gardner III will take his coaching talents to the nation's premier NCAA I wrestling conference as he has accepted an assistant coaching position at Big Ten institution Purdue University.

Gardner III has served as the head men's wrestling at Ozarks since the 2016 season. He started and oversaw the women's wrestling program the past two seasons. He was also serving as the assistant athletic director.

"I want to extend a thank you to all the student-athletes that have been in our programs at the University of the Ozarks," said Gardner III. "It was superbly special to be a part of your respective journeys. Growing both programs in such a special place has been one of the most rewarding efforts I have in my life. I also want to thank my staff - Doyle, Vinny, Charlotte, and Jason (Schweer) - for all they have given to our programs. And, I want to thank Jimmy Clark, Amy Lloyd, President Dunsworth and Lisa Thomas for my opportunity here and all my coaching peers leading Eagle student-athletes. I will miss this place, my colleagues, and our student-athletes."

Under the guidance of Gardner III, the Eagles produced five National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Academic All-Americans and four of his wrestlers qualified for the NCAA III National Championships. Additionally, the program received its first-ever national ranking under Gardner III.

"I want to thank Coach Gardner for his time at Ozarks and the tremendous impact he has made," said athletic director Jimmy Clark. "He is a coach that has influenced young women and young men through collegiate athletics. Under Coach Gardner, these student-athletes have learned lifelong skills that will help them be successful in life. I am excited for him professionally. To be able to coach in the top D-I wrestling conference is an amazing opportunity. He has the talent and acumen to succeed there. We wish him well."

The Eagles are coming off a runner-up finish at the Southeast Conference Championships. Gardner III was a three-time All-American at Wartburg College.

The Boilermakers posted a 10-5 record last season, including a win over No. 9 Nebraska.

"I am excited to help Coach (Tony) Ersland and the Boilermakers," said Gardner III. "As a competitive coach it was really an easy decision to step into the most competitive conference, at the highest level of the NCAA, and help build on their climb."

On August 18, the Big Ten Conference announced it reached distribution agreements with CBS, FOX, NBC and NBCUniversal's Peacock, placing football, women's and men's basketball and Olympic sports student-athletes on the biggest stage. According to Purdue, the media rights agreements are the most comprehensive in all of college sports.

Original source can be found here.