BUFFALO, NY– Donnie Vinson, a rising star in the wrestling coaching ranks, has been hired as the new head coach of the University at Buffalo wrestling program, UB Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt announced on Sunday. Vinson is the 16th head coach in the 90-year history of the program.

"I am very proud to introduce Donnie Vinson as the head coach of our wrestling program," Alnutt said. "Donnie comes to UB with exceptional credentials and has a proven background that has over-prepared him to be highly successful in this role. His relentless energy will be infectious as he recruits and develops student-athletes who will achieve at the highest level both in the classroom and on the mat. In addition, he strongly believes in collaboration, relationship building and teamwork which will garner additional support for our program from our external constituents including our alumni and the strong wrestling community in the region. Please help me welcome Donnie, his wife, Lisa and their children, Darcy and Artie to the UB family."

A New York native, Vinson comes to Buffalo from Cornell where he served as associate head coach since 2021. In his three seasons at Cornell, he helped lead a Big Red program that won three straight IVY League and EIWA team titles. He assisted in the development of four national champions, 10 All-Americans and 12 EIWA champs. Cornell finished in the top seven at the NCAA Championships in all three of his seasons, including a second-place finish in 2024 and a third-place result in 2023.

He helped coach Vito Arujau who won the national championship at 133 lbs. in 2023 and 2024. He also helped coach 149-pounder Yianni Diakomihalis to two of his four national titles.

Prior to arriving at Cornell, Vinson spent four seasons as an assistant coach at North Carolina State. In his time with the Wolfpack, they had a pair of top-six NCAA team finishes, including fourth in 2018. NC State won the ACC team title all four years he was there. In addition, the Wolfpack had nine All-Americans, three individual NCAA finalists and crowned Michael Macchiavello national champion at 197 lbs. in 2018.

Over his four years, NC State posted a 52-6 dual meet record, including an 18-2 mark in the ACC. Vinson also served as a coach with the Wolfpack Wrestling Club and was involved with the Wolfpack RTC.

Vinson served as a volunteer assistant at Cornell from 2014-17 after embarking on his coaching journey at Binghamton as a graduate assistant during the 2013-14 campaign.

"I am thrilled to join the University at Buffalo as the new head wrestling coach," Vinson said. "I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by Athletic Director Mark Alnutt and President Satish Tripathi. Their support underscores the commitment to our wrestling program's success. As a New Yorker, I am particularly excited to give back to the state's wrestling community and to contribute to the proud tradition of wrestling in New York. I am honored to be a part of the UB family. I look forward to guiding our athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the mat. I am eager to work with our athletes, staff, alumni and community to achieve our goals together."

A native of Marathon, NY, Vinson is a 2012 graduate of Binghamton where he posted a record of 132-27 to set the school's career mark for wins. A two-time Colonial Athletic Association Wrestler of the Year, Vinson was an All-American at 149 lbs. in 2012 and was named the CAA Championship's Most Outstanding Wrestler. He won the athletic department's Athlete of the Year award and received the John Bilos Alumni Award – given to the top senior male for outstanding career performances as a Bearcat.

Vinson was an Academic All-American as well as named to Binghamton's Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

Along with his bachelor's degree in marketing, he also earned a master's degree in student affairs administration from Binghamton in 2014. Vinson and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Darcy and Artie. Vinson will be formally introduced on Monday at 4 pm in the Alumni Arena Bull Pen Club.

What They Are Saying:

"UB is getting a great one. I've dealt with a lot of guys in the sport of wrestling and Donnie is one of the most selfless people I've ever worked with. He puts the student-athlete first and ensures that they get a full experience athletically, academically and socially." - Mike Grey – Cornell Head Coach

"Donnie has been a great coach and mentor to me in the time I've had around him. The guys on the team at Cornell love him and we're all going to miss him so much. I'm really happy for him and I can't wait to see what he does at Buffalo." - Yianni Diakomihalis – 4-time National Champion at Cornell

"Buffalo wrestling just scored big with the hiring of Donnie Vinson. With a proven track record of leading athletes to national titles, Donnie's experience as both an athlete and a coach promises to elevate Buffalo wrestling to elite status. Exciting times ahead for the Bulls." - Pat Popolizio – NC State Head Coach

"Coach Donnie Vinson has been someone who has made a huge impact on my life. Not just as a wrestler, but as a man. I first met Coach Vinson when I was 17 and I knew from the minute I met him he would be a lifelong mentor and friend to me. I am so excited for Coach Vinson getting this head coaching opportunity. I am confident that he will work tirelessly to help Buffalo become a top program in the country and shape the lives of so many student-athletes in the future." - Trent Hidlay – Five-Time All-American at NC State

"Donnie is the perfect fit for UB. He embodies all the qualities it takes to be a head coach. From his extensive ties to New York and the region and his recruiting success and fundraising experience, he will excel in his new role. He understands what it takes to build a successful program and what better way to start his coaching career than in his home state where he had personal success in high school and on the collegiate level. I couldn't be more excited to watch Donnie elevate UB wrestling to new heights." - Damion Hahn – South Dakota State Head Coach

Donnie Vinson named Head Wrestling Coach at Buffalo

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