Article Courtesy of Alma College
Jeremiah Tobias has been promoted to the position of associate head coach of the Alma College wrestling program. The move was announced by vice president for enrollment Bob Garcia at an early-season team practice.
“To have our vice president come to practice and present Coach Tobias a new contract in front of our celebrating team is symbolic of the commitment Jeremiah has made to this college, and the commitment that the college has now made to his family,” said Alma coach Todd Hibbs. “It makes us all proud to be Alma Scots.”
Tobias has been with the wrestling program since April of 2011, seven months before the Scots wrestled their first match as a reinstated program.
“Words cannot express his impact on the quick growth of this program, nor can they express how happy I am that we will continue on this journey along with Coach Roberts for the foreseeable future,” added Hibbs.
The addition of Tobias to the staff three-and-a-half years ago made wrestling headlines, as his reputation in the state of Michigan wrestling community signified once again that Alma College was serious about its newest team on campus.
As a wrestler, Tobias was just the seventh four-time state champion in MHSAA history, and on the college level he became one of the greatest pinners ever in the Big Ten or NCAA. His records for most falls in a career (56) and a season (17) still sit atop the University of Michigan archives.
As a coach, Tobias collected quick experience at the NCAA Division II level with Belmont Abbey College and the Division I level with the University of Wyoming. However, it was also his technical expertise in clinic circles around the country and especially in Michigan, that caught the attention of those at Alma when hiring the coaching staff.
“His name was just ever-present around the state,” said Hibbs. “Everyone respected what he was doing, and getting he and his family to relocate to Alma College was key to the early success of this program.”
Recently there has been an active coaching carousel in the NCAA Division III ranks, with some head coaching jobs still open both regionally and nationally. It seems the Scots wanted to be sure that Tobias wouldn’t be lured away.
“Sure, at some point you think about seeking a head coaching position, but my wife and I decided we didn’t want to mess with the happiness we have found at Alma,” said Tobias. “I have wrestled and coached in enough places to understand what we currently have and what we are building here.”
“I feel like we have everything we need at Alma to eventually win national titles both academically and on the mat. We have young student-athletes with integrity and drive, we have the support of alumni and the administration, and we have a coaching staff that trusts one another to get things done without egos getting in the way. It’s a unique situation and I am grateful that the college offered my family and I the chance to stay here.”
With their fourth season just two weeks old, the Scots are now preparing to improve upon last year’s #22 national poll ranking and their year-ending national runner-up finish academically (3.625 GPA). Now they get to do so knowing that their coaching staff is set to stay in place.
“With Coach Roberts in the weight room, on conditioning and on nutrition, and with Coach Tobias on film study and technique, we are poised to take this program from ‘new’ to ‘great”, said Hibbs. “It’s time to keep this thing rolling.”
The Scots will open their season in a split-squad format the weekend of November 7-8, as one group of competitors will travel to Case Western Reserve University while another makes its way to Muskegon Community College. The team will host its first home match in Smith Arena on Thursday, November 20, at 7 p.m. versus Davenport University.