🚨 On this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we're joined by Coach Cole Spree, head coach of Indian Hills Community College Wrestling — the 2025 NJCAA National Champions!
🏆Coach Spree shares his journey from JUCO All-American to building Indian Hills into a national powerhouse. We dive into:
🔥 The behind-the-scenes of building a championship program
🔥 Recruiting philosophy at the JUCO level
🔥 Growing men’s & women’s wrestling simultaneously
🔥 Building elite athletic + academic cultures
🔥 Advice for future student-athletes and recruits
🔥 Managing dual meets vs opens, and why duels build stronger teams
🔥 The future of JUCO eligibility, recruiting pipelines, and program building tipsIf you're a wrestler, coach, or parent dreaming of college wrestling opportunities, this episode is must-listen
!Follow Indian Hills CC Wrestling ➡️ Instagram:
@indianhills_cc_wrestling
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Show Notes with Timestamps
Intro: Why We Spotlight Junior College Wrestling
1:00 – Meet Coach Cole Spree: Building Indian Hills Wrestling
2:00 – Becoming 2025 NJCAA National Champions
3:30 – How Coach Spree got into wrestling & coaching
5:00 – Ellsworth CC days & crossover with Coach Corey Ruff
7:00 – Taking over Indian Hills — No facility, no problem
9:00 – Building brand-new wrestling facilities + culture
12:00 – The secret to JUCO success: Dual meets vs open tournaments
16:00 – Building men's and women's wrestling programs
20:00 – Creating buy-in, even when you're not a starter
24:00 – Recruiting the right kids: Toughness over titles
28:00 – Academics, study halls, and becoming better student-athletes
32:00 – Wrestling recruiting pipelines: From JUCO to 4-year schools
36:00 – National title season breakdown: Staying healthy & peaking
41:00 – Developing international talent: Egyptian world team members
45:00 – How Indian Hills builds a family environment
48:00 – The future of JUCO eligibility and D1 roster caps
53:00 – Why Indian Hills has the best JUCO wrestling setup in the country
57:00 – Go Hills TV: Next-level media coverage
1:01:00 – Final Four Questions: Coffee, positivity, country music & guilty pleasures
👉 Follow Indian Hills Wrestling: @indianhills_cc_wrestling
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