Jonathan Dickson
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head wrestling coach Lou Rosselli announced the addition of former OU All-American and Olympian Sam Hazewinkel to the wrestling coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach Tuesday.
Hazewinkel joins the Rosselli staff after a year as the head coach of the Oklahoma Regional Training Center, which works in conjunction with Oklahoma Wrestling to build Olympic wrestlers out of Norman.
“Sam is a great addition to our staff,” Rosselli said. “He is an Olympian in freestyle and World Team Member in Greco. He brings a lot of wrestling knowledge to his alma mater. His attitude is always upbeat and he always has a smile. We know he’ll work hard to help take us to the next level and we’re glad he is back with us.”
Before being named head coach of the Oklahoma RTC, the Pensacola, Fla., product led the wrestling programs at Oklahoma City University. As head coach of the Stars, Hazewinkel led the men’s team to a Sooner Athletic Conference Championship in 2019 and a top-10 finish at the NAIA Championships in the same season.
Before arriving at OCU, Hazewinkel spent two seasons as the assistant coach at the University of Central Oklahoma, guiding the Bronchos to a 31-5 record in duals, including the program’s first undefeated dual season in 2016-17. In addition, he helped lead Eli Hale to a pair of 125-pound national championships.
As a wrestler, Hazewinkel was a four-time All-American at Oklahoma from 2004-07 and three-time Big 12 champion at 125 pounds. In his final year as a Sooner on the mat, he finished as the national runner-up. Internationally, Hazewinkel wore the Stars and Stripes at the 2012 Olympic Games in Paris in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. He also represented the United States at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest. The Sooner has competed on nine U.S. national teams, six Greco-Roman and three freestyle squads, alongside collecting two freestyle Pan American gold medals.
The Sooners are set to begin competition on Nov. 6 at the Michigan State Open. The full schedule is available, and fans can put a deposit down on season tickets now through SoonerSports.com.
