Tod Giles Resigns As Army's Head Wrestling Coach

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Tony Lastowski (U.S.M.A. Athletic Dept.)
08/24/2000


TOD GILES RESIGNS AS ARMY'S HEAD WRESTLING COACH  Former All-America Departs After Two Seasons as Head Coach     WEST POINT, N.Y. - U.S. Military Academy head wrestling coach Tod Giles announced his resignation today after four seasons at Army, the last two as head coach. Giles will pursue other opportunities both in wrestling and the private business sector.     Director of athletics Rick Greenspan announced that a national search forGiles' successor will begin immediately.      "I would like to thank Tod for his hard work and loyalty to the Academy over the past four years," Greenspan said. "I wish him the best of luck as  he moves on to other pursuits.    "We will certainly move expeditiously in our search for a new coach," Greenspan continued. "Given the timing of the announcement, it is important that we do not have a lengthy leadership gap in that position."    "I would like to thank the entire West Point community for the kindness and support over the last several years," said Giles. "The last four years of my life have been extremely positive. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have taught and coached at one of the finest institutions in the country."    An assistant coach under Jack Effner during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons, Giles became Army's seventh head coach in July 1998 after Effner accepted the head coaching position at Cleveland State University. In his two seasons as head coach at West Point, Giles compiled an 11-17-1 record and led the Black Knights to finishes of 10th and 7th at the EIWA Championships. Last season he coached junior Maurice Worthy to a berth in the NCAA Championships, where he won two matches before being eliminated.    A 1984 graduate of Boston University and a recent inductee into the school's athletic hall of fame, Giles enjoyed a standout wrestling career of his own. He was a two-time collegiate All-America, a seven-time placewinner at the U.S. Greco-Roman national championships and an Olympic alternate in 1988 and 1996.