THE TRUTH ARRIVES IN ILLINILAND: ED RUTH

 


The news of this home-run hire became official on July 1, 2021 with reporting from FightingILLINI.com. The three-time NCAA champion and MMA star would join the ILLINI wrestling staff. Here's what that announcement looked like:


As a fan of the ILLINI, it seems that the team is on fire. The hiring of Coach Poeta, the retention of Coach Hunter, and then the addition of Coach Ruth completes the room. You have Coach Poeta's ILLINOIS connections and charisma, Coach Ruth's Pennsylvania and New Jersey connections able to work with the upper-weights, Coach Medlin bringing world-class Greco, and Coach Hunter with a proven track record with the wee folk. Ruth also brings an MMA background, which is a nod to the future of our sport. 

The big, early question in my mind is this: How much can an Ed Ruth help the current ILLINI such as the Brawny's, D.J. Shannon, Trey Sizemore, Matt Wroblewski, and even Luuuuke Luffman, who likes to shoot actual wrestling shots? Then, you think of recruiting on the East Coast. Finally, you absolutely salivate thinking about Ruth working with Dylan Connell, Christian Carroll and Joey Braunagel. 

How filthy will that crew be with a little Poeta slickness and a little Ruth toughness? Damn!


GO ILLINI!!!

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