Hibbs stepping down as head wrestling coach at Olivet College

Todd Hibbs has decided to step down as head wrestling coach at Olivet College, according to an announcement by Dominic Livedoti, director of athletics. Hibbs will continue to serve as an assistant professor in the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sport department of the college.

"It is unfortunate to lose a coach like Todd," said Livedoti. "Over the last five years, he has turned the wrestling program back into a national power. We wish Todd the best of luck, and thank him for his dedication to Olivet College."

In five years as head coach, Hibbs posted a 56-24-2 dual meet record. Under his tenure, Olivet placed eighth twice in three trips to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals. Hibbs also led the Comets to three Mid-States Conference Championships and was named the 2009 Mid-States Conference Coach of the Year.

In addition, Hibbs helped finish in the top three at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional all five years, including a first-place finish in 2006. For his efforts, he was named the Midwest Region Coach of the year in 2006. Hibbs also guided the Comets to the first-ever team title at the Ohio Northern University Invitational in 2008.

The Comets have done equally well in the classroom, as Hibbs' teams have been top 10 nationally four years under his tenure. With the team grade point average ranging from 3.17 to 3.49, the Comets were the national runners-up in 2008 (3.49) and earned a school-record, tying five NWCA Scholar All-Americans, in 2009. Overall, Hibbs coached 11 national qualifiers, four All-Americans and three national finalists.

"I want to express my gratitude to my wife Karen and my children, Kayla and Brock, for their love, support and patience, and also my parents who drove thousands of miles to continue to support their adult son," said Hibbs. "I want to thank President Don Tuski and the Olivet College Board of Trustees for making the decision to reinstate a program that has positively affected the lives of so many young men. I thank Coach Jare Klein for his public support of me and my goals for a program that he built, and I thank Dave Labrecque for his continued leadership of our outstanding alumni base.

"I thank Jeff Therrian and all of our assistant coaches for their tireless efforts, and finally I thank the young men and parents who decided that the Olivet College wrestling program would be a good place to continue their development as students, athletes and citizens.

"Leaving this job is one of the more emotional decisions in my life. I love the work and all of the relationships that have developed from it. I will remain close to wrestling through announcing, some project work with the NWCA and even possibly some assistant coaching. Still, there are some other professional aspirations that I have had for awhile, and the time has come to get moving on those."

A search for the next head coach will begin immediately.