NDSU Wrestling Adds Four-Time All American Miklus to Staff

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State wrestling head coach Obenson Blanc announced the addition of Willie Miklus (Mick-luss) to the Bison coaching staff as an assistant coach on Wednesday, June 25.
 
The four-time NCAA Division I All-American comes to Fargo with coaching experience in the Big 12 and the Big 10, including the last five seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan State under head coach Roger Chandler. In his time with the Spartans in East Lansing, Miklus helped develop 25 NCAA Qualifiers.
 
“I am very excited to have Willie join our coaching staff,” said Blanc. “Willie’s coaching ideology aligns well with our philosophy and standard of expectation for our student-athletes on and off the mat. Willie is committed to helping NDSU Wrestling move towards becoming a top destination for wrestlers who want to be developed into All-Americans and NCAA Champions.”
 
Prior to his time at Michigan State, Miklus spent one season as a graduate assistant coach under head coach Kevin Dresser at Iowa State, where he also wrapped up his wrestling career.

“I’m excited to join the staff here in Fargo and to be a part of this Bison program,” said Miklus. “Coach Blanc has a great vision for this team and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this team.”

Miklus was a four-time All-American, including three at Missouri (2014-18), before transferring to Iowa State (2018-19) for his senior season. He won the 2018 Mid-American Conference Championship at 197 pounds, finishing eighth at the NCAA Championships. Miklus was sixth at 184 pounds at the 2016 NCAA Championships, before missing a majority of 2016-17 season with an injury. He was also the 2015 MAC Freshman of the Year, before going on to finish seventh at 184 pounds at the NCAAs.

 

“Willie has the passion and expertise for helping student-athletes develop into better people, not just an athlete,” said Blanc. “Willie’s accomplishments as a competitor speak highly about his knowledge, toughness, and work ethic in a very difficult sport. He will make an immediate impact for our Bison student-athletes.”

While at Iowa State, Miklus won his 100th career match, coming at the Big 12 Championships, while also capturing his 50th career dual match during the season. Miklus finished his career with a 105-28 overall record and 55-9 ledger in dual matches. He was the 2019 Big 12 Runner-Up at 197 pounds, finishing sixth at the NCAA Championships.

In the classroom, Miklus was a four-time NWCA All-Academic Team honoree, along with a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and also on the SEC First-Year Honor Roll in 2014. Miklus earned his bachelor’s degree from Mizzou in 2017, before his first master’s degree in educational and counseling psychology in 2018. Miklus earned a second master’s degree in family financial planning from Iowa State in 2020.

A native of Altoona, Iowa, Miklus was a four-time all-state honoree (119 pounds, 145, 171 and 220) at Southeast Polk High School, winning state titles his junior and senior seasons at 171 pounds and 220 pounds, respectively. Miklus posted a perfect senior season, going 47-0 with a total of 368 takedowns on the season. He was also the 2011 Folkstyle Nationals runner-up at 171 pounds, and also took eighth place at 189 pounds at the Junior Freestyle Nationals. Miklus also had a one-year training period at the Olympic Training Center for the year immediately following high school (2011-2012) before joining the Missouri squad.