Kelly to Lead NICC Wrestling in Inaugural Season

Your contribution today guarantees Decorah News is asking the questions tomorrow. Act now. CALMAR, Iowa — The state of Iowa is widely known for its strong wrestling programs, with names like Spencer Lee, Tom Brands, Dan Gable and Cael Sanderson shaping that reputation. Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is joining that tradition by adding a club wrestling program beginning in the fall 2026 semester. The program will be a non-sanctioned club sport, meaning wrestlers will not compete in NJCAA postseason events. However, other national club wrestling championships will be options. As a club sport, the program will be open to both men and women. "We believe the addition of a wrestling program will improve enrollment numbers and opportunities for students," Athletic Director Nick Weinmeister said. "The popularity of wrestling in the state speaks for itself, but the growing popularity of women's wrestling across the country is something we see as having a significant impact." Wil Kelly will lead the team as head coach. Kelly, a Dubuque native, is a two-time All-American wrestler at Wartburg College, where he won a national championship during his senior season. Following his collegiate career, Kelly served as an assistant coach at Wartburg for three years before becoming head coach at Cedar Falls High School. Most recently, he has been an assistant coach with the University of Dubuque wrestling program. "The opportunity to help launch a new wrestling program is always exciting," Kelly said. "As an advocate for the sport, I see tremendous potential at NICC. The administration has been outstanding to work with, and I'm highly motivated to build something special here." Kelly's experience as both a coach and student-athlete positions him to lead the Cougars in the program's first year. "Our first year will be centered on development," Kelly said. "We'll focus on building a strong roster and gaining valuable experience so our athletes are prepared to compete." Although the recruiting window is narrow for the inaugural season, Kelly said he is confident the roster will be full by the start of classes in August. "We are focused on bringing in student-athletes who align with our vision — individuals committed to excelling in the classroom while competing for both individual and team championships," Kelly said. This marks the NICC Athletic Department's first new program since the launch of athletics in August 2024. Wrestling consistently topped the list of sports requested by community members. "I get asked weekly, 'What's next?'" Weinmeister said. "People have brought up wrestling in multiple conversations since our announcement of expanding athletics in 2024. The timing of adding club wrestling now fits because of the relationship that Jon McGovern, Wil and I have built to make the vision a reality. Decisions are made based on what is in the best interest of the college, athletics and our students. I felt this was a venture where we would see an immediate return." The Cougars' first official season will take place in fall 2026, and Kelly is working to finalize his roster. Wrestlers interested in being recruited can email Kelly at wjkelly99@hotmail.com. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert analysis, and stories that matter most—straight to your inbox.