Building a Wrestling Empire in Williamsburg, Kentucky with Coach Corey Ruff – University of the Cumberlands
In this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Coach Corey Ruff, the head wrestling coach at the University of the Cumberlands. With a coaching career spanning over two decades, including building Lindsay Wilson from the ground up and leading UC to a dominant NAIA program.
Coach Ruff shares his journey, philosophy, and vision for taking the Patriots to the next level.
🔹 How to build a powerhouse college wrestling program
🔹 The importance of culture & recruiting the right athletes
🔹 How UC provides elite wrestling at an affordable cost
🔹 The growing strength of Kentucky wrestling
🔹 Life, leadership, and coaching wisdom from one of the most passionate minds in the sport
Whether you're a high school athlete, a college wrestling fan, or just love hearing inspiring coaching journeys, this episode is packed with insight, energy, and motivation.
🔥 Listen now on all podcast platforms! 🔥
🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more athletes!
Show Notes with Timestamps
0:00 - Intro & Why We Do This
📲 Follow UC Wrestling: @patriotwrestling
Coach Ruff shares his journey, philosophy, and vision for taking the Patriots to the next level.
🔹 How to build a powerhouse college wrestling program
🔹 The importance of culture & recruiting the right athletes
🔹 How UC provides elite wrestling at an affordable cost
🔹 The growing strength of Kentucky wrestling
🔹 Life, leadership, and coaching wisdom from one of the most passionate minds in the sport
Whether you're a high school athlete, a college wrestling fan, or just love hearing inspiring coaching journeys, this episode is packed with insight, energy, and motivation.
🔥 Listen now on all podcast platforms! 🔥
🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more athletes!
Show Notes with Timestamps
0:00 - Intro & Why We Do This
- The mission of Airey Bros Radio 🎙️
- Expanding into NAIA, JUCO, & D2/D3 wrestling
- Why alternative college paths matter for student-athletes
- His background & coaching journey
- From Lindsay Wilson to the University of the Cumberlands
- The importance of stability & building a program from scratch
- How UC Wrestling is building a winning culture
- The importance of consistency in coaching staff & facilities
- The impact of Kentucky wrestling & the growing scene
- What kind of wrestlers UC is looking for 🤼♂️
- The value of NAIA wrestling & the scholarship advantage
- How international recruiting is shaping the future
- The challenge of facing Grand View & Life University
- What it takes to compete at the highest level in NAIA
- The goals for UC Wrestling moving forward
- The mental game in wrestling 🧠
- How Coach Ruff develops his wrestlers beyond the mat
- The importance of passion, discipline, & leadership
- Why UC is one of the most affordable options for college athletes
- State-of-the-art training facilities & year-round wrestling development
- How UC supports student-athletes beyond wrestling
- Who to watch in the NAIA tournament 🔥
- How UC is preparing for conference & nationals
- The vision for UC Wrestling & recruiting future champions
- Coffee or pre-match ritual? ☕
- Daily practices for success
- Music, books, and podcasts Coach Ruff is into right now
- Guilty pleasure – a little tobacco talk!
📲 Follow UC Wrestling: @patriotwrestling
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