Clay Nagel To Step Down As Assistant Coach

MOORHEAD, Minn. (5/29/14)—Concordia assistant coach Clay Nagel has announced that he will be leaving the Cobber wrestling program at the end of the summer. Nagel, who was the team's head coach from 2006-13, will return to teaching at Frazee High School in the fall.

Nagel still lives in the Frazee area and cited the long commute between Frazee and Moorhead as one of the main reasons for making his decision. "The hour drive each way is a big chunk of time," said Clay Nagel. "The drive is especially tough in the winter when the roads can be icy and tough to drive on."

Clay Nagel was responsible for bringing the Concordia wrestling program into national prominence during his eight seasons as head coach. The Cobbers went from a team that rarely sent wrestlers to the national meet to one who was consistently ranked in the top 15 of the country and sent multiple athletes to the NCAA Meet almost every single season.

"There will always be a special piece of the Concordia wrestling program in my heart," reflected Clay Nagel. "The athletes have been like family and I will continue to stay connected with everyone that has been involved in the program."

Nagel coached a two-time national champion and 14 All-American award winners. In addition to the success on the mat, the Cobber program enjoyed success in the classroom under the tutelage of Nagel. Concordia had 12 Scholar All-Americans in Nagel's tenure and the team earned NWCA Scholar All-American Team distinction in three of his final four seasons as head coach.

"It will be tough to see him leave the program," replied current Concordia head coach Matt Nagel. "He built the program into being nationally recognized and has given so much to the student/athletes and college."

Matt Nagel also expressed his gratitude and ability to coach with his father for five seasons by stating, "It was an experience that I will always remember. To be able to learn a profession from your Dad and then take over for him is incredible."

Matt Nagel finished by saying, "The good thing is that he isn't going too far and I can always call on him for help."  

Clay Nagel will help out with the Cobber Wrestling Camp during the summer months and then take over his position at Frazee High School in the fall.