Heffernan named as new Illini wrestling coach

Former Illini wrestling head coach Mark Johnson, left, and newly-appointed head coach Jim Heffernan, right, watch a match against Northwestern on Feb. 6 at Huff Hall.
Ned Mulka The Daily Illini

Jim Heffernan was named Illinois wrestling head coach Tuesday afternoon. He replaces Mark Johnson after Johnson's 17-year tenure at the helm ended on March 30. Heffernan was an assistant coach under Johnson for all 17 years.

As a result of Heffernan and Johnson's efforts, the Illini have produced 45 All-Americans, seven national champions and 120 NCAA Tournament qualifiers. As a team, Illinois recorded 10 top-10 finishes in the past 17 years.

During his time as assistant coach, Heffernan won the National Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 1995 and 2001 and also won the AFLAC Assistant Coach of the Year in 2003.

In college, Heffernan was a four-time All-American and a four-time Big Ten champion wrestler at Iowa, where he won the NCAA title in the 150-pound division in 1987.

Heffernan will have high expectations to follow up another successful season, as the Illini finished in eighth place at the NCAA Championships in 2009 and Mike Poeta, Jimmy Kennedy and John Wise each received All-American honors. Kennedy will suit up for his senior season next year.

The Orange and Blue finished in fifth place in the 2001 NCAA Championships, the highest finish under Johnson and Heffernan.

"As I transition into my new role, there will be big shoes to fill," Heffernan said in a press release.

"Mark Johnson has raised the expectations and standards of the program to an extremely high level. Those expectations and goals are something I will continue to embrace as we continue on to the next chapter in Illini wrestling. Further, I would like to commend our student-athletes for the way they handled themselves through this difficult situation. There was a lot of uncertainty throughout the last month but they remained positive, motivated and continued to work hard through the resolution of the decision."