SEWARD, Neb. – Following three years as Head Wrestling Coach, Levi Calhoun resigned the position to take on the role of Assistant Athletic Director at Concordia University. Calhoun began his new position this summer. He works under the direction of Director of Athletics Devin Smith and Associate Director of Athletics Angela Muller.
Calhoun is excited about the career shift from coaching to administration. The native of Moore, Okla., will have the opportunity to impact student-athletes in a different manner.
Said Calhoun, “The past six seasons with Concordia Wrestling have been an amazing adventure. There are so many names that come to mind when I reminisce about those days. The relationships and friendships I’ve developed mean the world to me and I am thankful for everyone who shared that journey with me. I love the sport of wrestling and it will always be a part of my life. I am excited for the future of the Bulldog Wrestling program and Bulldog Athletics!”
Said Devin Smith, “First, I want to thank Levi for his six years of service to the Concordia Wrestling program. I’ve enjoyed working with him and getting to know him over those years. I look forward to working with Levi in this new role and am excited about what the expansion of our athletic administration will mean for Concordia Athletics. Levi’s addition to athletic leadership will help grow our department further and allow us improve upon the student-athlete and fan experience at Concordia.”
Calhoun’s appointment will expand the capacity of Concordia Athletic Administration and the department’s ability to serve more than 700 student-athletes. Specifically, Calhoun is the Assistant AD for facilities and game event production. He will play an important role in game day operations.
Calhoun served the Concordia Wrestling program for a total of six years, including three as an assistant. He arrived in Seward in 2015 after having previously worked as Assistant Wrestling Coach at his alma mater, Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. Calhoun was named the 2019-20 GPAC Wrestling Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to GPAC regular season and tournament championships. Concordia also earned a share of the GPAC regular-season title in 2018-19, Calhoun’s first season as head coach. Over his six seasons with the Bulldogs, Calhoun coached 10 All-Americans, including 2016 national champion Andrew Schulte, 2017 national runner up Ceron Francisco and 2019 national runner up Tanner Farmer. As head coach, Calhoun's teams went a combined 27-17 overall in duals and 18-6 in conference duals.
As a student-athlete from 2006 to 2009, Calhoun twice qualified for the NAIA wrestling national championships and became the school’s first-ever wrestling All-American when he took fourth place in the heavyweight bracket. Calhoun also started all four years on the defensive line for the Wildcat football team. He garnered first team all-conference football recognition twice. Calhoun earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Baker. He and his wife Hollie reside in Seward with their daughter Mackenzie.