Montreat College

In late May of 2023, Montreat College Athletics named former wrestling student-athlete Jim Connaghan as its Associate Head Men's Wrestling Coach. Connaghan was then promoted to Head Men's Wrestling Coach in February of 2024. He enters his third season at the helm of the men's wrestling program in 2025-26.

YEAR-BY-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

2024-25

• Went 1-13 (1-6 AAC) during the season.
• Picked up an AAC road dual victory at Pikeville (W 36-22 on 12/6).
• Finished 11th out of 11 teams at the AAC Men's Wrestling Championships (13.0 points).
• Athlete achievements: 3 CSC Academic All-District® At-Large honorees, 5 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 8 AAC All-Academic Team members.

2023-24

• Went 4-10 (4-6 AAC) during the season.
• Won three straight duals in January.
• Finished 5th out of 12 teams at the AAC Men's Wrestling Championships.
• Received votes in the preseason version of the NAIA Men's Wrestling Coaches' Top 20 Poll, appearing in eight straight polls dating back to last season.
• Athlete achievements: 2 AAC Wrestlers of the Week, 1 CSC Academic All-District® Men's At-Large Team honoree, 8 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 7 AAC All-Academic Team members.

PRIOR TO MONTREAT

During the 2022-23 school year, Connaghan assisted with the wrestling programs at Montreat. While obtaining his degree in exercise science from the college, the Englewood, Fla. native held a student assistant position with men's wrestling and acted as a strength and conditioning coach for both wrestling programs.

Connaghan wrestled for the Cavaliers for two seasons following time spent at Graceland University and Iowa Lakes Community College. He amassed several honors over his career, including placing at the 2018 Armed Forces Wrestling Tournament, qualifying for NJCAA nationals in 2014 and placing at the Florida high school state tournament in 2013.

Connaghan, who graduated from Montreat cum laude in 2023, lives in Old Fort, N.C. with his wife, Sam.

COACHING RECORD
 

Year	School	Overall Record			Conference Record
		W	L	Pct.	W	L	Pct.
2024-25	Montreat	1	13	0.071	1	6	0.143
2023-24	Montreat	4	10	0.286	4	6	0.400
2 seasons		5	23	0.179	5	12	0.294