Vladislav “Izzy” Izboinikov (Colorado Springs, Colo./Assistant National Women’s Coach) has been named 2012 Women's Coach of the Year by USA Wrestling. It is the first time that Izboinikov has won this award.

“Coach Izzy” has served as Assistant National Women’s Coach for USA Wrestling for seven years, serving in a variety of leadership and coaching roles.

Izboinikov was a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic women’s freestyle coaching staff, working with National Coach Terry Steiner coaching the four U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers at the 2012 London Olympic Games. The United States team was led by Olympic bronze medalist Clarissa Chun at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., the fourth U.S. women’s wrestler to win an Olympic medal in history.

As Assistant National Coach, Izzy coached the women’s freestyle resident athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., helping organize and conduct daily practice for many of the nation’s best women’s freestyle wrestlers. Two of the four U.S. Olympians trained full-time at the OTC, and 14 of the resident athletes earned a spot on the 2012-13 women’s national team, which includes the top three athletes in each weight class.

In his role as Assistant National Coach, Izzy was also responsible for leading the U.S. women’s age-group program, with primary responsibility with for the FILA Junior World Team, which consists of athletes 17-20 years old. Under his leadership, the United States was regularly one of the top five Junior World teams in the world, with numerous World champions and World medalist. Among the Junior World champions who competed under Izzy’s mentorship was two-time Junior World champion Victoria Anthony and Junior World champions Nicole Woody, Whitney Conder and Adeline Gray.

He left his position at USA Wrestling in the fall of 2012, to accept a job as a principal in a Colorado Springs area high school.

Izboinikov will coach the U.S. women’s team at the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia, July 13-14.

Izboinikov joined USA Wrestling after serving 10 years as a teacher and wrestling coach at Yucca Valley High School in California, where he built a strong program and was active in USA Wrestling programs. He also has an impressive coaching and competition background from his native Russia prior to coming to the United States.

At Yucca Valley High School, he had a conference dual meet record of 42-1 and a 160-34 overall record during his tenure. His team was conference team champion nine times, with 62 conference champions. Yucca Valley won the sectional title four times, with 15 champions and 45 placewinners.

He was active with California USA Wrestling, as a state level coach in 2004, as well as a developmental coach with the Inland Empire Wrestling Association since 1998. He also served as a developmental coach with the Western New York Super Six Wrestling Club for three years. 

He learned his wrestling coaching and competition skills in Russia, where he competed as an athlete and earned his coaching degrees. He competed in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. He was a member of the Sport Club of Olympic Reserve in Moscow from 1981-87, then trained at the Olympic Training Center in Moscow from 1987-93. Among his achievements were a second place in the Russian Junior National/World Team Tryouts in 1989. He won two medals at the Moscow State Championship during his career, and was a bronze medalist at the College National Championships in 1992. 

Izboinikov received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from the Moscow State University of Physical Education in 1993. He also received his Wrestling Coach diploma in Russia in 1993. Izzy came to the United States in 1993 to pursue employment opportunities.

PAST WOMEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
2012 – Vladislav “Izzy” Izboinikov, Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Wrestling
2011 – Kevin Black, River Falls, Wis., New York AC
2010 – Keith Wilson, Colorado Springs, Colo., Sunkist Kids
2009 – Kevin Black, River Falls, Wis., New York AC
2008 - Tadaaki Hatta, Elyria, Ohio, New York AC
2007 - Troy Steiner, Corvallis, Ore.
2006 - Joe Corso, Metairie, La. ,Gator WC
2005 - Bill Scherr, Glenview, Ill., Sunkist Kids
2004 - Tricia Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids
2003 - Townsend Saunders, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids
2002 - Joe Corso, Des Moines, Iowa, Sunkist Kids