USA Wrestling leader Jason Christenson named Doane University Head Coach of Greco-Roman

Doane University is pleased to announce the hiring of Jason Christenson as the Head Coach for Tiger Greco-Roman wrestling. Christenson was selected after a thorough nationwide search and comes to the Tigers from Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. His duties begin with building the newest athletic program at Doane.

"Jason's love for Greco-Roman wrestling really stood out through the interview process," commented Doane Director of Wrestling Dana Vote. "I am excited to see what he can do with this program. Jason has been successful everywhere he has been and I don't see that changing here at Doane. I think he is going to help move the needle in USA Greco-Roman Wrestling."

Christenson has strong ties to Greco-Roman wrestling in Iowa, serving as a USA Wrestling Board of Directors At-Large member. He serves as a State Chairperson in Iowa and a USA Wrestling Junior Olympics Committee member. He was also a U.S. Greco-Roman All-American during his competitive days.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Greco-Roman program at Doane University," Christenson said. "I'd like to thank President Dr. Roger Hughes, Vice President of Athletics Mark Wateska, Director of Wrestling Dana Vote, and Assistant Athletic Director/Assistant Men's Wrestling Coach Mike Sebaaly, for their vision, support and investment to offer this ground-breaking program to prospective student-athletes."

Christenson wrestled collegiately at Central College in Iowa, qualifying for the NCAA Division III tournament. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education with a minor in biology.

Following college he remained in Iowa and began teaching the sport of wrestling while serving as a physical education teacher at Collins-Maxwell-Baxter H.S. He moved on to Oskaloosa H.S. before settling in at Southeast Polk H.S. Christenson was a six-time Iowa Coach of the Year while winning five state dual championships and four tournament championships. When he stepped away from high school coaching in 2020, he had 482 dual meet victories, 186 individual state qualifiers, and 25 individual state champions.

Beyond the high school ranks, Christenson has been heavily involved in USA Wrestling. From 1996-2002, he served as the Iowa 16U/Junior National Greco-Roman team Head Coach. He was named the USA Wrestling National Development Coach of the Year in 2007. In 2013, he was named USA Wrestling team leader for the Junior World Championships in Bulgaria. In 2015, Christenson was the Greco-Roman Head Coach for the U.S. 17U Pan-Am Championships in Mexico.

Several of his high school wrestlers went on to earn honors, including 22 USA Wrestling National Championships, 85 USA Wrestling All-Americans, 45 Fargo All-Americans, and seven Fargo championships.

"I'm excited to build, develop, and drive the growth of Greco at both Doane and nationwide," commented Christenson. "Currently there are very few opportunities for Greco-Roman wrestlers to develop full-time through the college/university or regional training center systems and our collaboration with USA Wrestling and US GRIT (Greco-Roman Innovation Team) to provide training, competitive opportunities and coaches education will undoubtedly help grow the sport at the grassroots level and impact the US medal count at the World and Olympic Championships."

His legacy of coaching is decorated with honors. Christenson was named the inaugural winner of the Bob Siddens Iowa High School Coaching Excellence Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (NWHOF) in 2013. At the same time, he was inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa. He received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award by the NWHOF in 2020. In 2014, he received the USA Wrestling "Chuck Elvin Award" for Junior Person of the Year. Christenson was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2024, Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023, the Central College Hall of Honor in 2015, and the Southeast Polk H.S. Hall of Champions in 2013.

Doane University is in the process of recruiting the first class for the inaugural season of Greco-Roman wrestling beginning in Fall 2025.

Coach Christenson said the following for those looking into the program: "This program will attract student-athletes who aspire to be successful at the highest level in Greco-Roman wrestling and will provide a year-round quality training environment for all with a passion for the sport. Be a leader, invest in yourself and your future, and pursue the Olympic journey while obtaining a college degree from Doane University. LA 2028 - Go Tigers!"