Lyneil Mitchell wrestling assistant

Men's Wrestling Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Former Standout Mitchell Returns as Assistant Men's Wrestling Coach

Gannon Hall of Fame wrestler returns to the program to assist Tom Boyd

ERIE, Pa. – New Gannon University men's wrestling coach Tom Boyd has found the replacement for himself. The former Gannon standout is bringing on one of the greatest Golden Knights to put on the singlet with the addition of Lyneil Mitchell to his first coaching staff. Boyd assumed the head coaching duties on July 1 following the retirement of Don Henry.

"I am excited to have Lyneil coaching with us at Gannon," related Boyd. "He is a dedicated alumnus that is two-time All-American and Hall of Fame wrestler.  He brings a vast amount of knowledge as well as mat skills to the team. He is also an expert in strength and conditioning which combined with his high energy and passion will help bring our guys to the next level in our pursuit of a team national championship."
 
Mitchell wrestled for Henry and the Golden Knights from 1998-03, finishing his career as one of only 12 Gannon wrestlers to earn All-American accolades more than once. Formerly of Butler, Pa., he concluded his career with a 98-32 record with 29 career pins. He ranks sixth in career victories, along with seventh in career winning percentage (.754) and seventh in career falls (29).  
 
Mitchell competed at 197 lbs. as a freshman and sophomore in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 before redshirting in 2000-01. He returned in 2001-02 and earned All-American honors for the first time. He ended the year with a 33-2 record with seven pins, finishing as the NCAA Division II runner-up. The 33 wins is tied for fifth in a season.
 
In his final season Mitchell again lost just two matches, posting a 29-2 ledger with 13 pins. He would finish third at the National Championships at heavyweight. The 29 wins are tied for 16th in a season, while the 13 pins are tied for seventh. He holds the second and third-highest winning percentages in a season with .943 in 2001-02 and .935 in 2002-03.
 
"Gannon Wrestling has always been a brotherhood," related Mitchell, "like a family. Coach Henry was a father figure for many of us. He is leaving big shoes to fill.  I couldn't have been more excited to hear Tom Boyd was going to the new head coach.  He is like a big brother to me.  Tom, as a chiropractor, and me as a Physical Therapist have always had a lot in common outside of wrestling. We have remained close over the years.
 
"With Coach Henry and Coach Boyd's leadership, the program has become a perennial national contender in the past 10-15 years.  We have a great coaching staff and support from our alumni base. Tom and I have talked a lot over the years about me coming back to Gannon to help them win a National Championship. Now it's happening.  I couldn't be more grateful and honored for the opportunity.
 
"Gannon University and the wrestling program had the greatest positive impact on my life and I can't wait to help continue to inspire these young men in same way."
 
Mitchell graduated from Gannon in May 2003 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Exercise Science. He completed work on his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Gannon in December 2005, and went on to earn his doctorate in Physical Therapy in May 2006. He was as good in the classroom as he was on the mat, twice earning Academic All-American honors. He was inducted into the Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame in the Class of 2018.
 
This marks the third time Mitchell will be associated with the coaching staff. He served as a graduate assistant coach from 2003-06, and from 2006-19 was a strength and conditioning coach for the program.
 
Since earning his Bachelor's Degree Mitchell has worked in a variety of functions in physical therapy. He joins the Gannon coaching staff after most recently serving as the owner and a physical therapist at FyzioGym Physical Therapy of California in Huntington Beach, Cal. since 2019.    
 
He began his career in physical therapy at NovaCare Rehabilitation/University of Cincinnati Sports Medicine from 2006-08.
 
Now Mitchell returns to the sport he loves and University he loves. "Gannon University and the wrestling program had the greatest positive impact on my life and I can't wait to help continue to inspire these young men in same way," Mitchell emphasized.
 
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