Jeremy Hunter

Biography

Longtime Illini staffer Jeremy Hunter was named the 16th head coach in Illinois wrestling program history on Feb. 26, 2026. Hunter previously served Illinois Wrestling as an assistant coach for 25 years. He arrived in the fall of 2001 as a volunteer coach and was elevated to a full-time assistant in 2009. His time with the program spanned three previous head coaches: Mark Johnson, Jim Heffernan, and Mike Poeta. During Hunter's time at Illinois, Fighting Illini wrestlers have won six NCAA titles – Matt Lackey (165) in 2003, Jesse Delgado (125) in 2013 and 2014, Isaiah Martinez (157) in 2015 and 2016, and Lucas Byrd (133) in 2025. He has coached 52 All-Americans and 173 NCAA qualifiers. Under Hunter's tutelage, 18 Illini wrestlers have won Big Ten individual titles. As a collegian, Hunter won the 125-pound NCAA title in 2000 and was the runner-up in 1999 as a member of the Penn State wrestling team. He was a three-time All-American, 2000 Big Ten Wrestler of the Year, 1999 Big Ten Champion, and 1997 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. His 123 total victories were tied for fifth in the Nittany Lion record books at the conclusion of his career.

Career Path