ABR 475: Jason Russell | Thomas More Wrestling, NCAA DII, Recruiting & the Transfer Portal

Thomas More University Head Wrestling Coach Jason Russell joins Airey Bros Radio for Episode 475!Coach Russell is entering his 10th season leading the Saints and has guided Thomas More Wrestling through one of the more unique journeys in college wrestling — from NCAA Division III to the NAIA and ultimately into NCAA Division II and the G-MAC.In this episode, Coach Russell takes us through his wrestling origin story, his path into college coaching, building Thomas More into a nationally competitive program, and the challenges and opportunities that came with transitioning between divisions.We get into NCAA Division II wrestling, college wrestling recruiting, the transfer portal, high school wrestler development, Ohio and Kentucky wrestling, scholarships, program culture, U23 competition, the Midlands Championships, and what Thomas More looks for in future Saints.Coach Russell also explains why recruiting isn't just about state titles and rankings. His philosophy centers around finding athletes who genuinely love wrestling, want to compete, and want to develop.We also discuss the modern transfer portal and why Coach Russell believes elite college wrestling programs need a combination of high-level high school recruits, developmental athletes, and selective transfer additions.Coach Jason Russell / Thomas More Highlights🏆 Entering his 10th season as Head Wrestling Coach at Thomas More University🏆 2022 Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year🏆 Led Thomas More to a program-best 7th-place finish at the 2023 NAIA National Tournament🏆 Helped develop conference champions, national qualifiers, All-Americans and Scholar All-Americans🏆 Guided Thomas More through its transition into NCAA Division II and the G-MAC🤼 Building the next chapter of Thomas More Wrestling📺 YouTube: Airey Bros Radio📱 Instagram: @aireybrosradioThis episode is fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching.  Looking for ultra marathon, endurance or nutrition coaching? Black Sheep Endurance https://www.blacksheependurance.com/☕ Support Airey Bros Radio: https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros⏱️ EPISODE 475 SHOW NOTES / TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Airey Bros Radio mission & helping student-athletes find college opportunities01:18 — HOWDY & ALOHA! Episode 475 begins01:41 — Airey Bros Radio, Black Sheep Endurance & supporting the show02:12 — Introducing Thomas More Head Wrestling Coach Jason Russell03:21 — Coach Russell's wrestling origin story05:03 — How cross country helped Russell's wrestling08:00 — Growing up in Ohio & Northern Kentucky09:49 — When Russell knew he wanted to become a college coach12:27 — Wisconsin-Whitewater & the road to Thomas More14:26 — Recruiting differences: NCAA DIII vs. NAIA vs. NCAA DII16:40 — Thomas More begins its athletic transition17:49 — NCAA DIII → NAIA → NCAA Division II18:57 — Competing in the NCWA & opportunities in college wrestling20:42 — Building Thomas More into a Top-10 NAIA program21:03 — The "gut punch" of another divisional transition23:14 — Competing in NCAA Division II24:01 — Why Thomas More's seniors stayed through the transition25:03 — National champions, All-Americans & a third-place team finish26:29 — Why recruits should look at Thomas More University27:12 — Majors, Cincinnati & the Thomas More experience27:36 — Required internships & preparing athletes for careers30:48 — Why career preparation matters for student-athletes32:03 — Recruiting Ohio, Kentucky and beyond33:09 — Kentucky high school wrestling hotbeds33:42 — Northern Kentucky wrestling & community development34:26 — Recruiting battles across Kentucky36:23 — 2026-27 recruiting class & summer development37:44 — U23s, opens & opportunities beyond NCAA DII38:07 — Competing at the Midlands Championships38:45 — Scheduling opponents across college wrestling divisions40:10 — Ohio vs. Kentucky wrestling40:37 — Why Kentucky wrestling is on the rise41:22 — What Jason Russell REALLY looks for in recruits42:22 — Championships, friendships & the college experience45:29 — The changing landscape of college wrestling45:54 — High school recruiting vs. the NCAA transfer portal46:19 — How Russell believes elite rosters should be built46:49 — Why recruiting never stops once an athlete gets to campus47:41 — Kentucky's one-division state wrestling tournament48:26 — THE FINAL FOUR 🤙48:34 — Coffee or energy drinks?49:20 — Coach Russell's energy drink stories50:51 — Daily habits & staying motivated as a coach51:58 — Inspiration & finding motivation outside wrestling53:20 — Podcasts, coaching education & What Drives Winning54:19 — Who controls the music in the Thomas More wrestling room?55:22 — Coach Russell's guilty pleasure55:55 — Family ancestry & tracing his roots57:55 — Will Coach Russell's son become a wrestler?58:39 — Closing thoughts & what's ahead for Thomas More Wrestling