COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Mizzou wrestling program has filled out their coaching staff with the addition of Sammie Henson, announced today by head coach Brian Smith. Henson was born in St. Charles, Mo., and wrestled for Missouri in 1991.
 
A former All-American at Missouri and National Champion at Clemson, Henson returns to Columbia and will take over as an assistant coach, joining recently-announced assistant Joe Johnston, volunteer assistant Mark Ellis and director of operations Todd Schavrien. Henson began his collegiate career at Mizzou, wrestling under Wes Roper and winning the Big 8 title and earning All-America honors as a freshman, placing fifth at the 1991 NCAA Championships. He then transferred to Clemson and became a two-time National Champion, winning back-to-back titles at 118 pounds in 1993 and 1994.
 
“I have coached against Sammie for many years and have always had great respect for him,” stated Smith. “Having him back in his home state is not only exciting for the University and our program, but for the entire state of Missouri.”
 
One of the world’s great freestyle wrestlers, Henson won gold at 54 kg at the 1998 World Championships, and was the silver medalist at the 2000 Olympic Games. More recently, Henson served as an assistant coach at Cal Poly from 2007 to 2009 and was an assistant at the University of Oklahoma from 2009 to 2011. Henson took over as the head coach of the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club in July 2011.
 
Fans can stay updated on all the happenings of the Tiger wrestling program this summer by following them on Facebook (facebook.com/MizzouWrestling) and Twitter (@MizzouWrestling).