McMurry University has named Lance Brown as the inaugural head coach of its men’s and women’s wrestling teams, with the combined program set to begin in the fall of 2025. McMurry is the first university in Abilene to offer collegiate wrestling.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Lance Brown as the new leader of our men’s and women’s wrestling teams,” Director of Athletics Larry Dockery said. “Lance brings coaching experience and a deep commitment to developing scholar-athletes both on and off the mat. His focus on academic success and character development aligns perfectly with McMurry University’s mission.”
Brown’s wrestling background is extensive, with over a decade of experience coaching at the high school level before advancing to West Hills College Lemoore (WHCL) as an assistant under renowned California Hall of Fame coach Kent Olson. During his three years at WHCL, he contributed to three conference championships, a regional championship, and a third-place finish at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships. In 2012, he was recognized as the South Regional Assistant Coach of the Year and served on the California USA Wrestling National team coaching staff. Most recently, Coach Brown led the men’s and women’s wrestling programs at Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, Texas. He was instrumental in establishing both programs from the ground up, including the historic launch of the first women’s wrestling program in HBCU history. Under his guidance, the women’s team achieved a pre-season NAIA #25 ranking by The Open Mat.
The McMurry University Board of Trustees approved the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling in September 2024, marking the first athletic program added since Esports in 2019. The university has joined the Saint Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) as an affiliate member and will hold exhibitions with NAIA programs Texas Wesleyan, Wayland Baptist, as well as Schreiner and the other SCAC schools with wrestling programs. With the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling, McMurry has 24 sports programs in total.
Scholar-athletes interested in helping shape McMurry’s new wrestling program can learn more here: https://apply.mcm.edu/register/athleteinquiry
Contact
Nicholas Ocheltree, Director of Integrated Communications
ocheltree.nick@mcm.edu
325-260-3963