Matt Kocher

Class:
Redshirt Senior
Hometown:
State College, Pa.

Matt Kocher is entering his seventh year as a member of the Panthers’ coaching staff and fourth year as the assistant head coach after being with the program since beginning his career at Pittsburgh in 2003.

The 2007 Panther All-American originally served as an assistant coach under former head coach Rande Stottlemyer before being promoted when current coach Jason Peters was hired.

During his time on the Pitt staff, Kocher has helped the program reach new heights after leading the Panthers to six Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) Championships (three regular season titles and three tournament championships) as well as the 2014 ACC Dual season title. The Panthers have sent 70 wrestlers, 20 in the past three seasons, to the National Tournament with Kocher as an assistant head coach, including a national champion in Keith Gavin (2008).

Prior to joining Stottlemyer's staff, Kocher worked for LionHeart Professional Management and Promotions in State College, Pa. During his time at LionHeart, he trained and managed professional and amateur Mixed Martial Arts fighters. In addition to working at LionHeart, Kocher also served as an assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater State College Area High School.

As a Pitt wrestler, Kocher had a career overall record of 151-45, a dual record of 43-12, and a tournament record of 107-33. He also recorded 29 falls, 10 technical falls, and 21 major decisions. His 151-45 overall record ranks second on the all-time Pitt win leaders list. He also ranks fourth on the all-time Pitt career pins list (29), fourth most wins by a freshman (32), and tied for ninth most wins by a sophomore (30). He was one of only 12 Panthers in school history to qualify for the NCAA tournament four times and was named an all-American after his 2007 season. As a junior, Kocher won the Slippery Rock Open, East Stroudsburg Open, Nittany Lion Open, Cleveland State Open and Hilltopper Open titles.

Kocher is a graduate of Pitt with a degree in history and communications and a minor in German.

Kocher married the former Lauren Tanner in May 2010.