Brad Bruhn begins his seventh season as Cortland’s wrestling coach in 2008-09. He has led the Red Dragons to top-30 NCAA Division III finishes in each of his first six seasons, including three top-10 showings.
In 2007-08, he led Cortland to an 11-0 dual-match record - the first undefeated mark in school history. The Red Dragons earned a share of the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC) title, sent four competitors to the NCAA Championships (with one All-American) and tied for 28th nationally. In 2006-07, the Red Dragons tied for eighth nationally and won their first ECWC championship since 1999. Six Cortland wrestlers qualified for nationals, with three earning All-America honors.
In 2005-06, Cortland placed sixth nationally, its highest finish since the 1995-96 season. The Red Dragons featured two All-Americans, including Cortland’s first individual national champion since 1990. In 2004-05, the Red Dragons placed 16th nationally with two All-Americans. In 2003-04, Cortland finished 10th in the nation with three All-Americans, while Bruhn’s 2002-03 squad had one All-American and tied for 25th nationally.
The ECWC Coach of the Year in both 2005-06 and 2007-08, Bruhn’s teams also have a combined 79-37 (.681) dual-match record. They posted a 16-3 record in 2006-07, a 16-9 mark in 2003-04 and a 13-3 record in 2005-06. The Red Dragons finished second at the ECWC Championships in both 2003-04 and 2005-06.
Prior to his arrival at Cortland, Bruhn was the assistant wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse during the 1997-98, 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. In that time, the wrestling teams placed third, second and fourth, respectively, at the Division III Championships. Bruhn has also served as the head wrestling coach at Centaurus High School (Colo.), leading the squad to a second-place finish at the state championships. He had five wrestlers earn all-state honors and one claim a state title.
Bruhn is a 1997 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education Teaching with an emphasis in Coaching Competitive Athletics. In 2002, he earned his Masters of Science in Exercise and Sports - Physical Education Teaching from Wisconsin-La Crosse.
He was a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American and earned All-America honors at 126 pounds in 1995. During his career at Wisconsin-La Crosse, Bruhn was named Most Valuable Freshman, Most Improved Wrestler, team captain and was crowned a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) champion. He was also named to the Dean’s List five times.
Born in Cadott, Wis., Bruhn attended Cadott High School, graduating in 1992. He competed in wrestling and track and field for four years.
