Wrestling: Bormet excited to lead Michigan program

If Sean Bormet accomplishes nothing more during his years in wrestling, he’s already ensured himself of being regarded as one of the all-time greats to come from Illinois.

But the Providence Catholic graduate who excelled as a competitor in high school, in college and internationally and already has gone on to enjoy a great coaching career at the club and youth levels, in addition to serving as a college assistant, is far from done with the sport.

Last week, Bormet achieved his ultimate goal, being selected as the 10th wrestling coach at his alma mater, the University of Michigan. After serving as the program’s top assistant for seven years and as its associate head coach for the past four, he takes over for Joe McFarland, who stepped down after 19 seasons as the Wolverines’ coach.

“This is quite an honor, and I’m extremely excited and very fortunate,” Bormet said. “Coming back to Michigan seven years ago, it was a dream of mine to get to the head coaching position here. This place is very dear and special to me, and I’ve been here recruiting a lot of the athletes that are currently in the program. So being able to continue to lead and work with these athletes is extra special.

“I’m excited about this being what I would kind of look at as my last piece of work in the sport of wrestling, and I’m just grateful that I get to do it at Michigan. If you really love competition as a coach and as a student-athlete, the Big Ten is definitely where you want to be in wrestling. It keeps you on your toes, and it’s exciting every weekend. A Big Ten championship and an NCAA championship are definitely the goals here.”

The Wolverines took fourth in this year’s NCAA championship, the third year in a row that they’ve finished in the top 10. They had five All-Americans and two finalists. In the past four years, Michigan has had 10 wrestlers who have received 16 All-American honors. He has recruited six top-10 classes, including the nation’s top class in 2013.

Before returning to Michigan, he enjoyed considerable success coaching in world competitions. He is a three-time winner of the Terry McCann Award as USA Wrestling’s Freestyle Coach of the Year and was on the coaching staffs of various World Championship, Olympic and World Cup teams.

In 2004 he was USA Wrestling’s Development Coach of the Year for his work with age-group athletes and programs. He coached the Illinois Junior Freestyle Team to four national dual titles and two national freestyle titles. He also was the founder and owner of the Overtime School of Wrestling, which became the nation’s premiere wrestling club.

After his graduation from Michigan, he served as an assistant at both Wisconsin and Michigan and also enjoyed success at the international level. While competing for the Wolverines from 1991 to 1994, he posted a 125-21 record and was a two-time All-American and a national finalist as a senior.

During his career at Providence, he went 184-6 and was the state’s all-time wins leader for many years. He won a state title in his senior season in 1989 after placing third as a junior and sophomore. He competed for coaches Tim Ruettiger and Mike Polz with the Celtics.

“It was an exceptional time for me at Providence,” Bormet said. “With the teammates who were there and coaches that we had, I’m really a product of a lot of really good people believing in me at that point. I’m still really close with the majority of the guys and the coaches and communicate with them on a regular basis. Both Tim and Mike remain as very important people in my life today. Providence is a special place that has produced a lot of special people, and that was a very important time in my life.

“I’ve enjoyed all aspects of the sport. It’s extremely challenging and demanding, not just as an athlete, but within your whole family structure. But it’s also about being part of special teams. All of the day-in and day-out is what makes the journey in the sport so great, so rewarding and so special.”