Mizzou TigerStyle Wrestling Camp

Staff

Tigerstyle Wrestling Camps are directed by NCAA Division I coaches along with Olympic Medalist and All-American wrestlers. Active University of Missouri wrestlers serve as supporting staff at all camps. Our premier roster of coaches and wrestlers will train side-by-side with campers and exemplify the dedication, discipline and work ethic through a proven system that is Tigerstyle Wrestling.

Brian Smith

Head Wrestling Coach & Camp Director

CAREER HONORS

2016 MAC Coach of the Year
2015 MAC Coach of the Year
2014 MAC Coach of the Year
2013 MAC Coach of the Year
2012 Big 12 Coach of the Year
2010-12 NWCA President
2007 Dan Gable Coach of the Year
NCAA Wrestling Championships Committee Member
Wrestling Commissioner for the Show-Me-State Games
Led Western High School to first-ever Top-10 finish (1991-92)
Four-time Letterman at Michigan State (1986-90)
Three-time All-Big 10 Wrestler
1990 Big 10 Runner-Up (126-pounds)
1990 Michigan State Most Outstanding Wrestler

Click here for Complete Bio on Brian Smith

Alex Clemsen

Associate Head Coach

Alex Clemsen enters his third year on the Mizzou Wrestling coaching staff and second in the role of Associate Head Coach after spending his first year on staff as the head assistant coach. A native of Moberly, Missouri, Clemsen returned to Columbia prior to the 2014-15 season after five years as the wrestling assistant coach at the University of Virginia.

In his first two seasons on staff, Clemsen has helped coach Mizzou wrestlers to two NCAA Titles, nine All-America honors and 10 individual Conference Championships. In 2014-15, Mizzou enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history, where the Tigers claimed a fourth straight conference championship, sent 10 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships and claimed fourth place overall nationally. Clemsen also helped guide senior Drake Houdashelt to an individual national title at 149 pounds. In 2015-16, Mizzou repeated as MAC Champions, sent nine wrestlers to the NCAA Championships and finished sixth nationally with four All-Americans. One Tiger, J’den Cox, claimed an NCAA Title, marking the third straight year a Tiger has reached the top of the podium.

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Joe Johnston

Assistant Coach

Joe Johnston begins his fourth season as one of the Tigers' assistant coaches and his eighth season on staff altogether. While on staff at Missouri, Johnston has helped to produce 19 All- Americans and four National Champions. He has coached the Tiger wrestlers to four consecutive conference titles in 2012 (Big 12), 2013, 2014 and 2015 (MAC).

Johnston joined the Mizzou staff at the start of the 2008-09 campaign after serving two years as an assistant coach at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. While at Cornell College, Johnston coached the team to a seventh place finish at the 2008 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He produced six All-Americans in his two years as a coach for the Rams.

Johnston brings both collegiate coaching and wrestling experience to Mizzou. He was a two-time All-American for the University of Iowa at 157 pounds, placing 2nd as a junior in 2005, and 6th as a senior in 2006. He tallied a 113-45 career record as a Hawkeye, managing at least 26 victories in each season of competition.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Johnston is married to the former Melisa Katterhenry. They have a daughter, Ruby.

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Devon Mellon

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Devin Mellon begins his first season on the Mizzou Wrestling coaching staff, serving the role of volunteer assistant coach. Mellon, a Mizzou wrestler from 2010-15, returns to Columbia after one year on the Oregon State coaching staff. The Lawson, Mo. native qualified for the NCAA Championships three times (2012, 2014 and 2015) and captured the 2015 MAC Championship at heavyweight.

In four years as an attached wrestler, Mellon complied a 99-39 record, scoring 17 major decisions and nine falls. In his senior campaign (2014-15), Mellon a posted a 33-11 record and won the MAC Championship after going 3-0 at the tournament. Mellon defeated Blaize Cabell (Northern Iowa) in the championship bout for his third win over a ranked opponent that season. A fixture in the starting lineup for three seasons, Mellon posted 20 or more wins in three of four seasons.

Following graduation, Mellon accepted a position on the Oregon State wrestling coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach. With Oregon State, Mellon helped coach heavyweight Amarveer Dhesi to All-America status, finishing fifth at the 2016 NCAA Championships in New York City in March. Dhesi was also named PAC-12 Wrestler of the Year in April.

Mike Larson

Strength & Conditioning Coach

A 2013 All-American for Missouri, Michael Larson begins his third season as the programs Assistant Director for Wrestling Strength and Conditioning while adding the Director of Operations title. Larson is currently attending William Woods University working on his Master of Education in Athletic Administration.

A four-time NCAA qualifier Larson finished his senior campaign with an 8th place finish in the 184 pound class. Larson finished his career with a 101-50 record after spending his first two seasons at California State University of Bakersfield where he was runner-up in the Pac-10.

Michael is the son of Jon and Lori Larson, born July 6, 1990, in Arcata, Calif. Michael is the older brother to Shane Larson and graduated in the spring of 2013 with a degree in general agriculture.

Click Here for a Complete Bio on Mike Larson

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