Wrestling
- Title:
- Director, Wrestling Operations
- Email:
- dthomas@athletics.pitt.edu
Pitt wrestling head coach Keith Gavin added Demetrius Thomas to his staff as the program's Director of Operations in September 2022.
Since finishing his collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020, Thomas has been training with the Pittsburgh Wrestling Club, and the chance to join Gavin's coaching staff was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
"I'm very excited for this opportunity," Thomas said. "I'm looking forward to facilitating operations and handling whatever the team needs to help our student-athletes develop and succeed. We have some super talented guys in this wrestling room. The future is bright with the group of local freshmen now with the team, and I can't wait to get to work."
Thomas, who became a fan favorite during his time as a Pitt student-athlete and was affectionately known by his nickname "Meech" by teammates and coaches alike, will oversee the team's day-to-day operations, including meals, travel and planning.
"I'm really glad we were able to add Meech to the staff," said Gavin. "He's been a natural leader from the moment he arrived at Pitt. He elevates everyone around him. We hope we can help him achieve his own professional goals as he works to improve our program on a daily basis as well."
A native of Ferguson, Mo., Thomas transferred to Pitt from William Baptist University in 2018 and immediately emerged as a national contender at heavyweight for the Panthers in his two seasons of eligibility, winning consecutive ACC titles and qualifying for the NCAA Championships twice.
Thomas accrued a 48-8 record during his time at Pitt. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and his name was etched on the prestigious Cathedral of Learning Varsity Walk as a winner of the Blue-Gold Award, alongside his fiancé Kayla Lund, a former All-American for Pitt's volleyball program.
