Pitt Panther's Asst. Head Coach Jason Peters is pleased with progress, wants more!‏

By Scott Casber

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Jason Peters is now in his eighth season on the Pitt coaching staff and seventh as the top assistant under Head Coach Rande Stottlemyer.

"Jason's expertise has been recruiting as well as training and development of our wrestlers on a daily basis," said Stottlemyer. "He has a great personality for recruiting and a vision for getting the most out of the young men we recruit to the University of Pittsburgh.

"I believe he gets our kids to buy into our philosophy that to experience success in wrestling, you must be willing to devote yourself to the process of skill development, physical training and mental toughness. And, you have to be willing to do it 365...everyday."

Pitt's recent recruiting classes have included multiple state champions as well as wrestlers who have mat experience outside of the high school arena. In his time at Pitt, he has helped guide five Panther wrestlers to All-America status, including Zach Shaeffer (2009), Keith Gavin (2007, 2008), current assistant Matt Kocher (2007), Drew Headlee (2005) and Carl Fronhofer (2003). Peters has also assisted in guiding 19 wrestlers to 33 NCAA Championship appearances in seven seasons.

Peters joined the Panthers from Harvard University. He was an assistant coach with the Crimson for the 2001-02 season. While at Harvard, he helped lead individual workouts for the wrestlers while training himself for freestyle competitions. Peters was also an instructor for the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club in Boston, Mass.

"I believe Jason is a great asset to not only our team, but the University of Pittsburgh as well," Stottlemyer said.

In his spare time, Peters was a personal wellness trainer and promoter for the Boston Sports Club at the Harvard University Recreational Department. There, he educated members by providing specialized wellness programs designed for specific individual needs, incorporating exercise and nutrition.

Peters also served as the head wrestling coach for the Massachusetts Cadet and Junior National Team. He worked directly with the USA Wrestling state director and headed his team to the national competition in Fargo, N.D. His team was the first in 10 years from Massachusetts to compete in the Cadet and Junior Nationals.

From 1998-2001, Peters was the head assistant wrestling coach at Princeton University where he served as recruiting coordinator as well as helped with marketing, fundraising and the development of practice plans and strategies.

Prior to Princeton, Peters gained experience as an assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, East Stroudsburg University. In 1997-98, Peters assisted the coaching staff at East Stroudsburg with training the team's wrestlers for competition.

He is a 1998 graduate of East Stroudsburg with a bachelor's degree in movement studies and exercise science with a concentration in exercise physiology.

Peters is married to the former Stacy Spencer and resides in Mt. Lebanon.