MARQUETTE, Mich. – Willie Madison, the Assistant Greco-Roman Coach for the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University is leaving his post to accept a new career opportunity in the Eastern United States.

Madison, 31, is moving to Maryland, and will assume a uniformed protection position within the government.

“It is a personal and career move for me, which is what motivated me to make the change,” said Madison. “I appreciate my time at Northern Michigan, the support from USA Wrestling and the opportunity that the coaches have given to me here. I will miss the wrestling community but will certainly keep up with it.”

Madison has served two seasons as the assistant coach for USA Wrestling's Greco-Roman program at the USOEC. He has worked under USOEC head coach Dennis Hall last season and head coach Rob Hermann this season. Madison has made a major impact on the program during his two years as a coach.

“I learned so much. It made me a better person and a better coach. To be able to teach these young people has been awesome. I have enjoyed working with these guys and look forward to them doing very well in the future,” he said.

Prior to taking the position, Madison was a nationally ranked Greco-Roman wrestler for many years, training with the USOEC program at Northern Michigan University from 2001-2006, then moving to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. from 2006-08.

He qualified for Greco-Roman Team USA during two seasons, placing third in the 2005 and 2007 U.S. World Team Trials. He placed four times at the U.S. Nationals, with his top finish being fifth at the 2005 U.S. Nationals. Madison placed in the top six at the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Madison was also very successful on the age-group level. He was a 2003 University Nationals champion and placed seventh in the 2004 University World Championships. He also won a silver and a bronze medal at the University National Championships.

Madison served as an assistant wrestling coach at Archishop Rummel High School in Metairie, La. in 2009, where he helped train athletes on both the varsity and JV teams. He is also the head clinician for Madison Camps, where he taught Greco-Roman technique and life skills to young people in clinics in Louisiana, Ohio and Hawaii.

He served as a club coach for the Scorpion WC in Metairie, La. from 1995-99. He was a counselor for the Louisiana National Team camp from 2000-2006 and coached the Junior and Cadet National teams in Fargo, N.D. Madison is a bronze-level certified coach in USA Wrestling's National Coaches Education Program.

Madison received a bachelor's degree in Social Science/Political Science from Northern Michigan University in 2004. He previously attended Colby CC in Kansas, where he was a member of the wrestling team and received an associate’s degree in business management.

During his years at the USOEC program, both as an athlete and a coach, Madison was able to witness the impact that it has had on the overall U.S. Greco-Roman program, as well as the many individuals who have benefitted from its existence.

“The USOEC setting has helped Greco-Roman wrestling in this country tremendously. We have high level Greco-Roman on the college level. It has helped wrestlers like Justin Lester and Spenser Mango to become champions. I believe this program will continue to produce World medalists on the Junior and Senior levels,” said Madison.

USA Wrestling is currently conducting a national search for a new Assistant Greco-Roman Coach for the USOEC program at Northern Michigan University.