July 20, 2015
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former NCAA All-American Travis Rutt has joined the University of Iowa wrestling staff as interim strength and conditioning coach, it was announced Monday by UI head coach Tom Brands.
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“I am excited for the opportunity coach Brands has given me,” said Rutt. “I am eager to begin working with the program and do everything I can to bring another national championship to Iowa City.”
Rutt was an All-American at Wisconsin in 2011. He took an Olympic redshirt in 2012 and sat out the 2013 season after transferring to Oklahoma. In 2014, he was Big 12 runner-up at 197 pounds, qualified for the NCAA Championships for the third time in his career, and earned a master of science degree from OU.
“It is a privilege to work with great athletes and become part of such a successful program,” said Rutt. “I know my experience wrestling in the Big Ten and Big 12 is going to be an asset to this team. Coach Brands and the entire program have been very welcoming and I am excited for the season to begin.”
Prior to joining the UI staff, Rutt served as the director of strength and fitness at Pinnacle Strong, a private business designed to improve sports performance through strength training for prep and college athletes.
He worked in the strength and conditioning office and served as assistant wrestling coach at Augsburg College during the 2014-15 season, and previously served as the Greco-Roman/strength and conditioning coach for the Minnesota Storm Wrestling Club.
As a college student-athlete, Rutt won the 184-pound title at the 2010 Midlands Championship. He was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week as a member of the Badgers, and in November 2013 he earned Big 12 Wrestler of the Month honors competing for the Sooners. He was team captain his senior season at OU, and was named to the NWCA All-Academic Team.
Rutt replaces Luke Lofthouse on the UI staff. Lofthouse accepted an assistant coaching position at Utah Valley in May.
