Gardner-Webb University Athletics

Former Gardner-Webb wrestler Brendan Couture joined his alma mater as an assistant coach prior to the 2015-2016 season and has provided an instant boost to the program.

In his first season on the bench, the Runnin’ Bulldogs posted new program records for dual wins (9) and finished with a share of the 2015-2016 Southern Conference regular season title. GWU also posted its first two wins over ranked opponents – beating No. 25 Appalachian State and No. 24 Duke in a stretch of five days in late January and early February.

Couture wrestled at Gardner-Webb from 2003-2008, posting his best season as a true sophomore in 2004-2005 at 165 pounds. Couture finished third nationally in that weight class with nine pin falls and finished the season with a 17-14 overall record. Couture ended the season just one win shy of an East Region title, which would have qualified him for the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo. He totaled 16 wins as a senior, including five via pin fall.

A strong student during his time at Gardner-Webb, Couture graduated with a degree in Finance in 2007 and earned his MBA from the Godbold School of Business at Gardner-Webb in 2009. He was named to the Gardner-Webb University Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in October, 2015.