Erik Wince

Erik Wince joined the American University wrestling staff as an assistant coach in August, 2019.

Wince came to American from Greensboro College where he served as the first head coach in program history for four years. Under his leadership, Wince guided the Pride to 18 dual victories, coached Greensboro's first All-American and developed several ranked wrestlers. 

Prior to his time at Greensboro College, Wince worked at Davidson College where he served as an assistant coach for the Wildcats' wrestling staff for three seasons. During his time with Davidson, Wince helped guide two NCAA national qualifiers for the first time in Wildcat history as well as serving as an integral part of the recruiting process.

Prior to his stint with Davidson, Wince spent five seasons as the head wrestling coach and strength & conditioning coach at Forsyth Country Day School in Lewisville, N.C.

While serving at Forsyth, Wince was named the Piedmont Athletic Conference of Independent Schools (PACIS) Wrestling Coach of the Year, guiding the Furies to a pair of NC Independent School Athletic Association state titles and one state runner-up finish. In three seasons, his wrestlers made 19 appearances in the state finals. Wince also boasts the honor of coaching a three-time Prep National All-American and a two-time Prep National All-American.

Before joining the coaching ranks, Wince attended Gardner-Webb University where he received a bachelor's degree in physical education in 2004. Wince was a four-year member of Bulldogs wrestling team and finished his senior campaign ranked among the national individual leaders with a 27-5 record. This earned Wince the University's Male Athlete of the Year and the University's Outstanding Wrestler Award in 2003 while becoming the first Bulldog athlete to qualify for an NCAA Division I Tournament since the institution changed their division affiliation in 2001.

Wince was elected the USA Wrestling State Chairman for North Carolina for seven years. Wince has also served as the national team head coach for the Junior National Duals (2006), Cadet Nationals (2007), and Junior Nationals (2008-10).