University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head wrestling coach Heath Eslinger announced the addition of Rocco Mansueto (man-SWAY-tow) to the Mocs' coaching staff today.  Mansueto joins UTC after spending last season at Army and brings six years of collegiate coaching experience to the Mocs.  He will serve as the top assistant coach for Chattanooga.    

"Rocco Mansueto is a great addition to our staff," stated head coach Heath Eslinger.  "His knowledge in the office and in the practice room will quickly help us move in the direction we want to go."

A two-time high school state champion from Middletown, N.Y., Mansueto went on to make three NCAA Championship appearances and win an Eastern Wrestling League Championship at 125 pounds during a standout career at Cleveland State.

"I really think there is a unique opportunity to do something special here at Chattanooga," stated Mansueto.  "I am excited to be a part of this new coaching staff and look forward to building on the winning tradition of UTC wrestling."

A four-time conference place-winner, including a pair of finals appearances, Mansueto was selected a team captain three times under Cleveland State head coach Jack Effner. He was also named an All-American after a sixth-place showing at the U.S. Open Championships and qualified for the World Team Trials in 2002.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2003, Mansueto spent the next three years at John Carroll University as a graduate assistant coach. He helped lead the Blue Streaks to their third and fourth-straight Ohio Athletic Association Championships in 2004 and 2005, while guiding the squad to 12th and 18th-place finishes, respectively, at the NCAA Division III Championships. He also tutored three All-Americans, eight NCAA qualifiers, eight individual conference champions and four Academic All-Americans before earning a master's degree in school counseling in 2006.

Prior to his stint at Army, Mansueto has spent the previous two years as the head wrestling coach at Cape Henry Collegiate School in Virginia Beach, Va. In 2008, he led the Dolphins to their first-ever Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools (TCIS) Championship as five wrestlers went on to compete at the National Prep School Championships. He was named the TCIS Coach of the Year for his efforts.