Scott Goodale was hired as the Rutgers wrestling coach just three years ago. Now, Goodale has his Scarlet Knights headed into the EIWA championships as the No. 22 team in the country.
The Jackson, N.J. native coached seven years at Jackson Memorial High School before coming to Rutgers where he had an overall record of 155-16. His teams of 2006 and 2007 earned the top ranking in the state both years. While at Jackson, Goodale earned coach of the year three times.
Goodale's presence can be felt as soon as he enters a room, very similar to Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano. Like Schiano, Goodale took over a struggling program in need of a revival. Both coaches are very savvy, know how to recruit and above all command respect. Not to mention they both happen to look and sound alike.
Goodale's first recruiting class composed of top wrestlers from the state including the No. 2 wrestler in the country, Scott Winston. Dan Rinaldi and Trevor Melde were also in his first class, both were top 20 recruits.
In his second year as head coach, Goodale coached Rutgers to a school record 20 wins. That year, three wrestlers earned bids to the NCAA tournament. This year, Goodale led the Knights to a school record 15-win dual match win streak. As of now, Rutgers heads into the EIWA championships at 19-5-1.
Goodale is not just a good fit for Rutgers because of his coaching ability, but because of the type of person he is. Goodale understands that his sport is rising in popularity throughout the state, and Goodale has enormous aspirations for his team. This year, Rutgers wrestled No. 23 Virginia at the RAC and defeated the Cavaliers in front of a raucous crowd.
Goodale's team's aren't afraid to wrestle the best in the country either. Rutgers has faced top teams like Iowa and Michigan State this year away from New Jersey and in the future Goodale plans to continue to bring top opponents into the RAC.
Goodale is also a great PR guy. Anytime someone wants an interview, Goodale will do it. This coach will do whatever to bring Rutgers wrestling to the top, and you have to respect that. Goodale is on his phone almost as much as Schiano is now, texting nonstop to make sure everything is running smooth.
Who knows if Rutgers wrestling will ever make it to the likes of Iowa, Michigan State or Ohio State? But if there is one guy that has the tenacity and drive to do so, it's Goodale. Rutgers made a great choice in hiring Goodale, and as odd as it may sound, wrestling could be the next sport at the school to bring in actual revenue. The program is continuing to rise, and it appears like the limits are endless.
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