Hardman leaving DWU for University of Indianapolis

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University athletic department announced Monday that head wrestling coach Josh Hardman has resigned, and he has accepted the same position at NCAA Division II school, the University of Indianapolis.

Hardman has been the head wrestling coach at Dakota Wesleyan University for four years, leading the Tigers to a 15-35-1 dual record during his tenure. Hardman has coached three NAIA All-Americans, 24 NAIA National Qualifiers and seven All-Great Plains Athletic Conference selections.

Hardman’s Tiger teams were also a success in the classroom, earning NWCA-NAIA All-Academic distinction the last three seasons with the third-highest GPA in the NAIA in 2007 and the fourth-highest in 2008 and 2009. He also coached seven NWCA-NAIA All-Academic team selections at Dakota Wesleyan.

“Coach Hardman has done great things with our wrestling program, both on and off the mat, in his four years at Dakota Wesleyan,” DWU Athletic Director Curt Hart said. “We appreciate everything he’s done for DWU and we wish him luck at the University of Indianapolis.”

In addition to his coaching duties, Hardman also served as the chairman of the sports management department at Dakota Wesleyan and he served on the athletic department’s administrative team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Manchester College in 2000 and a Master of Science degree in sport pedagogy from South Dakota State University in 2004.

Hardman, his wife Sheri and their daughter, Landri, will relocate to the Indianapolis area. The start date for his new head coaching position is May 15.

Dakota Wesleyan has already begun the search for its next head wrestling coach. Though an official timetable hasn’t been set, Hart has already received significant interest in the position, and he’s confident the school will have a new coach in place soon.

“We have already begun the search for Josh’s replacement and we are excited to find the right candidate to continue building the Tiger wrestling program,” Hart said.
*Courtesy: DWU Sports Information