EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State wrestling head coach Roger Chandler announced that Justin Oliver has been named the program’s volunteer assistant coach.
Oliver comes to MSU after two seasons as an assistant coach at Buffalo. He was an All-American and a four-time NCAA qualifier wrestler at Central Michigan and North Carolina State.
“Justin is a great addition to our staff,” Chandler said. “He brings that successful mindset into our program both as a competitor and a coach. There is no doubt he will have a positive impact on our guys right away. We continue to add pieces of success to our program every year and this is another piece that will allow us to take another step forward.”
In addition to wrestling at CMU, Oliver is a Michigan native, hailing from Davison, Michigan.
“It’s definitely exciting to join the Michigan State staff. It’s a very full circle moment. I remember coming to Michigan State when I was about 10-years old, and I wrestled at the intermission of a dual; I think against Oklahoma State,” Oliver said. “So, obviously, going from that to being on staff here at Michigan State is definitely a full circle moment and definitely exciting, something I’m very much looking forward to help continue to grow the program in the right direction.”
At Buffalo, Oliver worked with the lower weights, helping 141-pounder Derek Spann qualify for the national tournament, one of four NCAA qualifiers that Oliver worked with, as well as coaching 165-pounder Troy Keller win his second-straight Mid-American Conference title.
Oliver wrestled at NC State in the 2018-19 season as a redshirt-senior, posting a 20-7 record, finishing third at the ACC Championships and was a NCAA qualifier at 149 pounds.
Before NC State, Oliver was at Central Michigan for four years. Oliver was a three-time NCAA qualifier and earned All-American accolades in 2015-16, after finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships after starting as the No. 9 seed. He was second at the MAC Championships and finished the season leading the Chippewas in wins with 32, ending 32-7.
Oliver finished his NCAA wrestling career amassing 137 wins, finishing with a 137-35 record, with one All-American accolade, four NCAA Tournament qualifications and two all-conference honors.
Additionally, he also has success in Jenison Field House, as he won the 2016-17 Michigan State Open (4-0) and was third in the 2014-15 Michigan State Open (4-1).
Oliver earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan in 2018 in organizational administration, and earned a graduate certificate in statistical analytics from NC State in 2019.
Original Post: MSU Athletics
