WEST POINT, N.Y. – Third-year Army head wrestling coach Joe Heskett announced the addition of Brad Pataky to his staff as an assistant coach on Thursday morning. An extremely accomplished wrestler in his own right, Pataky comes to West Point after having spent the last two seasons on the staff at Lock Haven University.
“Brad is an ideal fit for our mission here at West Point,” Heskett said. “He embodies impeccable character and a passion for greatness. He is very intelligent and loves to battle on the mat. He is in the hunt to make World and Olympic teams and will have a major impact in the overall development of our cadet-athletes.”
Pataky was a three-time NCAA qualifier at Penn State, where he was also three-time BIG 10 placewinner. The Keystone State native helped lead the Nittany Lions to the 2011 NCAA national title and posted an 83-31 career record.
Prior to his time in State College, Pataky enjoyed a stellar high school career during which he was a 2004 PIAA state champion at 112 pounds, three-time PIAA state medalist and 10-time Asics Freestyle/Greco All-American. He authored an impressive 125-5 record as a high school grappler.
Pataky continues to enjoy a highly successful career at both the national and international level. He is a University placewinner and champion (2008), Canada Cup placewinner and two-time runner-up. He was a Guelph Open placewinner and champion in 2008. He was also a two-time Northwest F/S Regional Champion and U.S. Open placewinner, an NYAC placewinner (2007) and University World Team member (2008). He placed seventh at the 2008 University World Games and was an Olympic Team Trials Qualifier in 2008.
Pataky earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Penn State in 2011. He went on to obtain his teaching certification while serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Lock Haven over the last two seasons.
Along with maintaining his coaching duties, Pataky continues to train for an Olympic berth at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.