Coaching Staff

Jon McGovern | University of Dubuque Wrestling Head Coach | 2X NCAA Champion

Jon McGovern has been the Spartans head wrestling coach since 2002. He is UD’s all-time leader for career coaching dual meet wins with 153, McGovern was named NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year in 2005-06, coached UD wrestling to four Top-20 finishes and two Top-15 finishes at the NCAA DIII National Championships including two NCAA Division III National Champions.

McGovern most recently was selected by professional peers to serve on the NWCA Ranking Committee while representing the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Region (2020). He also served as NWCA Division III President (president-elect 2014-15,  and president 2015-2018). The NWCA, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate wrestling programs. The membership embraces all people who are interested in amateur wrestling.

The NWCA, through its organizational structure, promotes communication, recognition achievement, recommends rules and regulations, sponsors events and serves as an educational and informational source. Additionally, the NWCA strives to foster the sportsmanship and integrity that are the cornerstones of athletic competition.

In 2012, McGovern was inducted into the Central College Hall of Honor. At Central, he won back-to back NCAA Division III championships (1990-91, 1991-92 seasons) at 167 pounds after placing fourth at 158 pounds in 1989-90, and claimed conference titles for three years. He’s tied for first at Central in career wins and his 123-17-1 record gave him the school winning percentage record (.958). He also set a school record for most season falls (24) in 1991-92. His 46-2 record in 1991-92 is Central’s best ever.

McGovern won team awards for most valuable freshman (1988-89) and most improved wrestler (1989-90), received the Lawrence Award for work ethic and dedication (1990-91) and was the 1991-92 MVP. He was captain of Central’s 1991-92 squad that won the conference team championship.

He earned a master’s degree at the University of Iowa in 1996. McGovern was an assistant coach at the University of Virginia in 1997-98 and served as an assistant at the University of Pennsylvania (1998-99). He spent the following year at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. and finished fourth at the 2000 Olympic Trials in Dallas, Texas. A 1998 U.S. national team member, he finished third at the 1998 U.S. national tournament and third at the 1998 World Team Trials.

A native of Riceville, Iowa, McGovern was a four-time state of Iowa qualifier and a three-time place winner for the Riceville Wildcats. He resides in Dubuque with his wife Lis and son JonMark.

Dennis Hall | University of Dubuque Assistant Coach | Olympic Medalist & World Champion

Camp Directors | Jon McGovern & Dennis Hall