About this episode
In this episode, Mike Mal sits down with one of the nation’s most respected club coaches, Ian Assael, Head Coach of Legends Wrestling Club. Ian shares his journey from running a powerhouse Pennsylvania program to joining the NC State staff during the Wolfpack’s rise and now building a legacy at Legends. He reflects on coaching elite wrestlers like Trent and Hayden Hidlay, the value of finding the “right kids and families,” and how culture, consistency, and timing can shape championship-caliber athletes. Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a successful wrestling environment—from fostering relationships and managing talent to the lessons learned from producing world-level competitors.