Tony Ersland

One of the most experienced coaches on the Nebraska staff, Tony Ersland completed his eighth year as an assistant coach in 2013-14, after gaining experience in the Big Ten, Big 12 and Mid-American Conferences in his 14-year coaching career.

The NU wrestling squad has racked up a solid 102-41-2 dual record with Ersland on the staff. Primarily working with NU’s upper weights, Ersland helped guide the Huskers to an 12-2-0 dual mark in 2013-14. He helped guide seven wrestlers to the 2014 NCAA Championships where the team finished 11th.

Over the last seven seasons, he aided 197-pounder Craig Brester to claim All-America honors and also led Tucker Lane in his quest to become one of the best heavyweights in the country. Lane was a four-time NCAA qualifier, while Ersland also helped 184-pounder Josh Ihnen qualify for four straight NCAA tournaments.

Ersland came to Nebraska after serving as an assistant wrestling coach for the Cyclone Wrestling Club in 2005-06. From 2000 to 2005, Ersland was the head assistant coach at Northwestern. He was also an assistant coach at Northern Illinois for one season and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan.

Ersland turned to coaching after an illustrious competitive career at Iowa. A four-time letterwinner from 1994 to 1997, Ersland helped the Hawkeyes to four national championships and four Big Ten Conference team titles.

A 1997 NCAA qualifier, Ersland was also accomplished in the classroom as a four-time academic All-Big Ten honoree and the 1997 winner of the J. Donald McPike award, given to the Hawkeye senior wrestler who had the highest grade-point average. Ersland graduated from Iowa in 1997 with a degree in psychology, and later earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from Central Michigan. Ersland and his wife, Carolyn, have twin sons, Mason and Jaxon.