University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Head Coach Pat Pecora
Pat Pecora, who also doubles as Pitt-Johnstown’s Athletic Director, took over the Mountain Cat wrestling program in 1976. In 33 years, his teams have captured 20 NCAA Regional Championships, including five straight from 2003 through 2007 and ten in a row from 1992 through 2001. Thirteen times, Coach Pecora has been selected the NCAA Regional “Coach of the Year,” including 2006-07. His Mountain Cat squads have finished in the top 20 in the nation 26 times and have combined to win 48 team tournaments and 460 dual meets. Coach Pecora has tutored 123 All-Americans and nine individual national champions, Academically, his teams led the nation in NWCA All-Academic Wrestling Team selections from 1997 through 2000. Since its inception in 1990, Coach Pecora has coached 87 NWCA All-Academic Wrestling Team members.
In 1996 and 1999, his teams captured the NCAA Division II National Championship, the first and second in school history. In 1995 and 1999, Coach Pecora was named NCAA Division II National “Coach of the Year.” Also in 1999, he received the National Wrestling Coaches Association Coaching Excellence Award given to the best coach in all divisions. Coach Pecora also coached the National All-Star Team, which showcased the best wrestlers in the nation from all divisions.
On Jan. 20, 2006, Coach Pecora became the 17th coach in all divisions to earn 400 career dual-meet victories when his Mountain Cats defeated Anderson (SC) College 37-4 in the Sports Center. Coach Pecora ranks 10th all-time and in the top-five among active coaches in victories with 460. His teams have averaged nearly 14 dual meet victories each year.
Coach Pecora is once again the NCAA Division II Representative for the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), a duty previously held for 10 years. Coach Pecora was also the president of that organization for two terms. In 1994, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame-East Boro Chapter, and, in 1998, he was inducted into both the Cambria County and the West Liberty State (WV) College Halls of Fame. In March 2001, Coach Pecora was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and, in 2003, he earned induction into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Coach Pecora and his wife Tracy have four children: Cristina, Marco, Marina and Nico.
Last Reviewed: December 6, 2006