Wrestling program adds Noah Clary to coaching staff

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Noah Clary is set to join the Defiance College Athletics coaching staff as an assistant wrestling coach, the athletic department announced on Wednesday. Coach Clary joins new head coach Jake Henderson in leading the wrestling program into the NAIA.

Clary joins the Yellow Jackets after spending the 2023-24 season as a volunteer assistant coach for his alma mater, Lourdes University. He helped mentor four national qualifiers and one All-American during his lone season on the Lourdes coaching staff, which was one of the finest in program history.

He was a member of the Gray Wolves' wrestling team from 2019-23 and compiled a solid career at the NAIA level. Finishing 40-33 for his career, Clary was an NAIA All-American in 2021 and qualified for the NAIA National Championships three times (2019, 2022, 2023), all at the 174-pound level. Along with an eighth-place finish at the national championship in 2021, he was the WHAC runner-up the same year and came one win shy of a second All-American honor in 2022. Clary was also a three-time All-WHAC performer, earning Second Team honors for three consecutive seasons.

In high school, Clary went 150-32 as a four-year letterwinner at Upper Sandusky and qualified for the state tournament three times. He finished third place in the state meet as a senior and was a three-time Northern 10 Conference champion.

In addition to his wrestling career, Clary has also served as a wrestling referee. He judged two senior world team trials, one Final X trials, and one Olympic team trials.

The Upper Sandusky native completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Lourdes University in 2022. 

Quoting Head Coach Jake Henderson
"I am ecstatic about the addition of Coach Clary to our staff at Defiance College. He brings with him a lot of experience, high levels of skill and knowledge, and most importantly a passion for the sport. His time at Lourdes as a NAIA All-American and Assistant Coach gives him a lot of experience in the WHAC and NAIA as we transition to joining both. I feel his addition is one of the first steps towards building a program and culture that is winning championships, producing Academic All-Americans, and getting guys on the podium."

Defiance College is celebrating 175 years on March 23, 2025. The 175th Anniversary Campaign is currently underway. Click here to find out more or to give today!

-JACKETS-