Oklahoma Wrestling Coach Lou Rosselli Resigns, Coaching Search to Begin Immediately

The Sooners' head wrestling coach has announced his resignation after spending the last seven years in Norman.

Ross Lovelace | Apr 5, 2023

By OU Media Relations

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione announced Wednesday afternoon that head wrestling coach Lou Rosselli has resigned.

Rosselli, who was hired at OU in 2016, led the Sooners to a 56-49 dual record in his seven seasons. His wrestlers earned 48 NCAA qualifications and four All-America honors. His 2020-21 team won the program's first Big 12 title since 2002 and finished 24th at the NCAA Championships, the best performance of his tenure.

In addition to the athletics accolades his wrestlers amassed, they also earned 40 Academic All-Big 12 honors.

"Lou has invested a great deal into our wrestling program these past seven years, and we're so grateful for the impact he's made on our student-athletes," said Castiglione. "We sincerely appreciate his service to the university and wish him all the best. As we move forward, we will continue to position our wrestling program to compete at the highest level."

A native of Middleport, N.Y., Rosselli came to OU from Ohio State, where he spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach and then associate head coach, and helped the Buckeyes to the 2015 national title.

"Today I'm stepping down as the head wrestling coach here at OU," said Rosselli. "I'm grateful for the opportunity I had from Joe C. to lead this program. While I had hoped to have accomplished more, I'm optimistic about the future of Oklahoma wrestling. I'm thankful to my current and former student-athletes, our coaching staff, and our fans for their support throughout the years."

Castiglione said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

Published Apr 5, 2023

ROSS LOVELACE

Experience Ross is a young, up-and-coming sports reporter who has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Sooners over the past six years. He's made guest appearances on various radio stations and has helped out with the All Sooners podcast whenever he gets the chance. Ross enjoys public speaking and has done so at multiple churches and high schools across the OKC metro area. In addition to writing, Ross has been the Play-by-Play announcer for Crossings’ basketball and football programs since 2020. In high school, Ross worked for self-starter blogs and latched onto Thunder Digest, where he discovered his passion for writing. From there, he worked for the OU Daily as a women's basketball reporter and was hired by All Sooners. Ross landed an internship with Sports Illustrated's Inside the Thunder and has since become a full-time contributor. One day, Ross hopes to work in the NBA. Work History Education Ross holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. Personal Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ross played basketball and wrote for his own Thunder blog at Crossings High School in OKC, OK. He enjoys reading, New York Jets football and a week at the beach. Ross is engaged to be married at the end of the year. His Twitter handle is @Rosslovelace.