ERIE, Pa. – Gannon University women’s wrestling head coach Erin Vandiver has announced the addition of Sully Allen as an assistant coach to the Golden Knights’ coaching staff.
Allen joins Gannon with experience as an NCAA Division I wrestler along with a growing coaching background in girls wrestling throughout the Erie area. He currently serves as the head girls wrestling coach at General McLane High School and is the founder of Trained To Pin Wrestling, an all-girls wrestling club based in Erie.
“I am really excited to have Sully join our staff and look forward to the immediate impact his presence and leadership will have on the Golden Knights,” said Vandiver. “His energy, ambition, work ethic and eagerness to help really stood out to me. I believe he is the right person to help our program continue to grow and excel.
“Sully brings a wealth of wrestling experience and, as a Pennsylvania native, has strong roots and connections within the local wrestling community. Having competed at the Division I level, he understands what it takes to be successful both on and off the mat.
“Most importantly, Sully is eager to invest in our student-athletes and help them develop, grow and reach their next level of greatness. I’m excited to welcome him to the Golden Knight family and see the impact he will make on our wrestlers and our program.”
Allen took over as the head girls wrestling coach at General McLane in August 2025. In that role, he oversees the program’s practices, athlete development and competition preparation while helping recruit and retain student-athletes and grow girls wrestling within the school and surrounding community.
He further expanded his involvement in girls wrestling in April 2026 when he founded Trained To Pin Wrestling. The all-girls club grew from five wrestlers to approximately 40 athletes in its first summer. Allen oversees practices, competition opportunities, travel and individual athlete development while building relationships with wrestlers, families, coaches and members of the regional wrestling community.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Allen competed collegiately for four years at NCAA Division I Edinboro and one year at NCAA Division III Penn State Behrend.
During the 2022-23 season at Edinboro, Allen competed at 157 pounds and finished with a 10-14 record after posting an 11-12 mark during the 2021-22 campaign.
A Sharon High School graduate, Allen compiled a 129-29 career record during his four years with the Tigers. He was a two-time section placewinner, including a section championship, and a two-time district placewinner with one district title. Allen was also a two-time regional champion, two-time state qualifier and state medalist while earning All-American honors.
Allen earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and an Associate of Applied Technology from PennWest Edinboro before earning a Master of Manufacturing Management from Penn State Behrend.
