University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Wrestling Adds Ethan Laird to Coaching Staff
4/29/2026 10:30:00 AM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH – Pitt wrestling head coach Keith Gavin announced the hiring of Ethan Laird as an assistant coach.
Laird comes to Pittsburgh after spending the last three seasons at Maryland. He joined the program in 2023 as the special assistant to the head coach before being promoted to assistant coach ahead of the 2024-25 season. During his time at Maryland, Laird helped develop nine NCAA qualifiers, highlighted by Jaxon Smith earning All-American honors in 2025 — marking the Terrapins' first All-American since 2019.
Laird joined the Terrapins after graduating from Rider University in 2023. During his six years at Rider, Laird was a four-time NCAA qualifier (three times at 197 pounds and once at heavyweight). In the 2022-23 campaign, he finished sixth at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at 197 pounds, becoming Rider's 19th All-American in program history. Laird also finished his career with 100 wins.
Laird earned bronze medals at the World Team Trials at 97 kilograms in both 2022 and 2025, further establishing himself among the nation's top freestyle wrestlers.
A native of McKean, Pa., Laird starred at General McLane High School, where he finished as the program's all-time career wins leader with 138 victories.
