Conor Beebe joins Gardner Webb wrestling coaching staff
Conor Beebe faced a lot of unknowns following the 2009 season.
After winning his first Mid-American Conference title and getting injured prior to the NCAA tournament, Beebe fell short in his fourth national bid.
Now, he’s turned to coaching.
Beebe was introduced on Aug. 23 as a graduate assistant coach for Gardner Webb University’s wrestling team, joining head coach Richard Wince and assistant Daniel Elliott.
“We’ve got big things in the works out here,” Beebe said. “We’re building a new wrestling room right now and we’ve got a good group of freshmen. I’m real excited about coming in and taking what I’ve learned from coach Borrelli out here to the south and maybe building upon that.”
The former 141-pound CMU wrestler said he was unsure of what he wanted to do following graduation. He had not sent out many applications before Elliott called him and offered him an opportunity at the Gardner Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C.
“I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to do with my life outside of school,” Beebe said. “I basically thought, ‘why not, I don’t know what else I’m going to do my life,’ I might as well further my education and do what I love to do, which is being around the sport of wrestling.”
CMU wrestling head coach Tom Borrelli said Beebe delayed a possible foray into business because of the bad economy, leaving open the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree.
“He never really expressed that much interest in coaching, but when you’re done wrestling, as much time as these guys put into it and everything, it’s just hard to get completely away from it right away,” Borrelli said.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs finished second at the NCAA East Regionals last season, with senior Dustin Porter qualifying for nationals. GW welcomes in a freshmen class of seven, including a pair of Saginaw natives.
Beebe finished his career at CMU with an 80-49 overall record, including winning his first Mid-American Conference title in the 141-pound weight class in 2009. While he qualified for the NCAAs all four years, Beebe said he fell short of his goals and looks to accomplish a new set off the mat.
“I don’t feel like I accomplished all I wanted to accomplish out of this sport,” Beebe said. “Coming here coaching was another opportunity to accomplish another set of goals when it comes to wrestling. Trying to carry on the tradition and my goals into coaching, it’s something that pushes me everyday.”
