Moenkedick Resigns As Head Coach

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/23/19)—Concordia wrestling head coach Phil Moenkedick announced that he will resign from his position effective at the end of May to take the job as Dean of Students at Perham High School.

Moenkedick said that the decision was very difficult and easy at the same time. "My wife and I are excited about the opportunities this move provides for our family," Moenkedick stated. "This is a great opportunity for me to continue to have a positive impact on young people in the Perham Schools. Perham is home for Tara (wife) and I and we have a lot of family there."

Moenkedick just finished his third season as head coach of the Cobber wrestling program. He helped Concordia to a national Top 25 ranking in each of his three seasons at Concordia and guided seven wrestlers to an appearance in the Division III National Championship Meet. He also had seven wrestlers earn All-Region honors and Adam Presler was named the winner of the NCAA Elite 90 award at the 2017 NCAA Meet.  Moenkedick was the top assistant coach for the Cobbers for two years prior to being named the head coach in the summer of 2016.

"We are sad to see Phil leave Concordia," Athletic Director Rachel Bergeson said. "He has done a tremendous job as a mentor to all the student/athletes and has carried on the successful tradition of the Cobber wrestling program. He made an impact on his athletes and the entire Concordia athletic department. He will be missed."

Moenkedick was also one of the most decorated wrestlers in Cobber wrestling history. He won back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011. Moenkedick was also a 3-time All-American and is the all-time leader for wins in a career in school history. In the classroom Moenkedick earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors in his junior and senior seasons and was a 3-time NWCA Scholar All-American.

"I am so grateful for my experience at Concordia as a whole and more specifically within the athletics department and wrestling program," Moenkedick said. "I have been supported, challenged, and fulfilled in an abundance of ways. The people here are special and I feel very blessed to have been able to contribute to the mission of impacting young people in a very positive way over the past 5 years alongside others who are committed to that mission. I am excited for how the athletics department and wrestling program will continue to grow moving forward."