Tribute to Dennis DeLiddo

While long time Fresno State wrestling head coach Dennis DeLiddo is wrapping up a stellar career, his imprint on the sport of wrestling has made him a household name throughout the country.

DeLiddo was instrumental of bringing in some of the nation's top teams to Fresno as well as maintaining a competitive program that was nationally ranked throughout the years.  With 23 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the program fared no worse than 47th under his tenure. 

The Bulldogs captured 11 Top 25 NCAA team finishes in his 24 years.  In addition, there have been 27 All-Americans as he has mentored nine of the top 10 Bulldogs on the school's career victory list. 

Several individuals found great success under DeLiddo's guidance, including three-time NCAA national champion and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas. 

While making his final NCAA Tournament appearance in St. Louis last month, DeLiddo was the 1993 National Coach of the Year runner up as well as being a four-time Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.  Winning nine conference titles, he wraps up his brilliant career with a 314-171-4 all-time dual mark.