August 23, 2022

SIOUX FALLS – University of Sioux Falls Athletic Director Pam Gohl announced the hiring of Toby Bryant as the new head coach of the Cougars women's wrestling program today.

"We are thrilled to name Toby Bryant as our first-ever Head Women's Wrestling coach at USF," says USF Director of Athletics Pam Gohl.  "Bryant has a strong wrestling background and was instrumental in the process to help get high school girls' wrestling sanctioned by the South Dakota High School Activities Association. We believe his dedication to the mat and pursuit of excellence is exactly what we need to start our Cougar Women's Wrestling program. In addition, we believe that Bryant's eye for talent and connections in the Wrestling community will help USF's women's wrestlers to be competitive right away in the Fall of 2023."

A Pierre, SD native, Bryant brings over 25 years of wrestling experience to USF. Bryant was a member of the South Dakota State University wrestling program from 1997-2000 where he lettered all three years. In 2002, Bryant received his bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education, & Recreation with a minor in Biology from South Dakota State. He then went on to obtain his master's in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in Health, Physical Education & Coaching from Northern State University in 2003 while also assisting the DII wrestling program as a graduate assistant. As a graduate assistant for the Wolves, Bryant coached two NCAA National Qualifiers and one NCAA All-American. Bryant later returned to Northern State University to pursue his second master's in Secondary School Leadership and Administration where he graduated in May of 2006.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the USF family and the surrounding area," said Coach Bryant. "With the rise of girls' and women's wrestling across the country, we are confident we'll be able to bring in outstanding student-athletes to the USF Cougar Women's Wrestling program. We're beyond excited to provide opportunities for women's wrestlers in order to help them achieve their competitive goals and leave USF equipped to achieve success in their professional lives."

Following his time with Northern State, Bryant became the head wrestling coach at Aberdeen Central High School from 2003 to 2010. During his seven years with the program, Bryant was named the Region 3A Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010 where he also led his team to back-to-back ESD Conference team championships. While coaching the Aberdeen Central Golden Eagles, Bryant coached four top-10 team finishes, 38 SDHSAA State place winners and three state champions.

Bryant and his family moved to the Sioux Falls area in 2010 where his passion for wrestling led him to become the owner and director of Metro Wrestling Academy in 2015. Metro Wrestling Academy works with boys and girls K-12 while aiming to elevate young athletes through hard work, fundamental skill advancement, character growth, and leadership development.

While with USF, Bryant will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to USF student-athletes. He will be responsible for scouting and recruiting successful student-athletes while developing skill advancement and leadership in the program. According to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), women's wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports at the scholastic and collegiate level. Currently, 36 states sponsor girls' high school wrestling championships. Currently, there are 54 NCAA (DI, DII, DIII) institutions that sponsor women's wrestling in the 2022-23 academic year. Women's wrestling is still considered an emerging sport by the NCAA but is moving closer to full NCAA championship status.

Bryant currently resides in Sioux Falls, SD with his wife Amber and their four daughters, Tevan, Dessa, Autumn, and Hadley.