Canon-Mac grad Patnesky returns to southwestern Pa.
Former WVU wrestler eager to coach at Waynesburg University
Courtesy of Penn State Behrend sports information
By Jonathan Guth
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Division III wrestlers truly love the sport.
They must because incentives to compete at that level do not include NIL deals and other benefits that are provided to athletes at the higher levels, which is not to say wrestlers at higher levels don’t love the sport, but most Division III competitors understand that their collegiate career will be the last time they put on a singlet.
Bobby Patnesky has coached and wrestled at the Division I level, but the Canon-McMillan graduate, who competed at West Virginia University, knows from first-hand experience that Division III wrestlers are doing it for the love of the sport.
Patnesky’s last coaching job was at Penn State Behrend during the 2021-2022 season, but he plans on turning around the fortunes of another Division III program. When Patnesky took over at Penn State Behrend, the program had been non-existent for nearly 40 years.
Waynesburg University athletic director Tim Fusina announced the hiring of Patnesky as the head coach of the men’s wrestling team Tuesday morning.
Patnesky was head coach at Division I Davidson for 12 years prior to his hiring at Penn State Behrend. He spent five years at Penn State Behrend.
“The type of student-athlete you recruit is a little bit different at the Division III level,” Patnesky said. “You recruit kids that really love the sport, and want to get an education.
“You are not going after the elite of the elite, but there is a real potential to do great things in the sport. You kind of switch how you evaluate your student-athletes in Division III.
“Each place is a little bit different. I had to go nation-wide with my recruiting at Davidson because of the academics.”
Patnesky currently resides in Canonsburg, which is close to his mother and father.
“The only reason I left Penn State Behrend was because my family needed me,” Patnesky said. “My dad had a major stroke where he couldn’t walk, and my mom couldn’t help him. I am an only child and had to be there for my parents.
“My dad is as recovered as he can be, and my mom had breast cancer, so when this opportunity opened up, it was almost like the Lord was watching over me.”
The enthusiasm at Waynesburg was encouraging for Patnesky, as he has goals to make the program closer and bring back alumni.
“I was blown away by how much the school wants the program to succeed,” Patnesky said. “They want to put that commitment into the program. There will be standards and expectations, and it’s going to be done right.
“We are going to make this a family, and it starts with the current guys on the roster. We want to make sure they are doing the right things in the classroom and getting their workouts in.
“We are never going to top some programs out there, but we want people to know about wrestling at Waynesburg. I want to get some local businesses involved.”
Patnesky’s first official day of work will be Monday, and he plans on shooting off the whistle.
“I have some names in mind when it comes to my coaching staff,” Patnesky said. “I would like to stay somewhere local to help with recruiting. We are trying to do what we can with a club and some prospect camps. I am excited because I can hit the ground running.”