Wrestling
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Alma Mater:
- Ohio State, '20
- Email:
- lpletcher@athletics.pitt.edu
- Season at Pitt:
- Third
University of Pittsburgh head wrestling coach Keith Gavin announced the promotion of two-time All-American Luke Pletcher to Pitt's full-time coaching staff ahead of the 2022-23 season. Pletcher has been with the Panthers since April 2020, previously serving as a volunteer assistant coach.
In his first year as a full-time assistant, Pletcher's winning ways throughout his own wrestling career benefited Pitt as the team secured an ACC dual title and saw Nino Bonaccorsi win a national title at 197 pounds and become the program's first NCAA champion since Gavin in 2008.
In his two years as a volunteer assistant for Pitt, Pletcher's tutelage also helped Cole Matthews develop into a national contender at 141 pounds. Spending each day in Pitt's wrestling room with Pletcher, Matthews was one of the nation's best and finished his career as a two-time ACC champion and 2022 NCAA All-American.
Overall, Pletcher has aided in the success of 32 NCAA qualifiers, 10 ACC champions, five All-Americans, two NCAA runner-ups and one NCAA champion during his time with Pitt's wrestling program as well as the Panthers' 2022-23 co-ACC dual champions.
A native of Latrobe, Pa., Pletcher spent four seasons as a student-athlete at Ohio State, reaching All-American status in 2018 and 2019 and was a four-time NCAA qualifier. The 141-pounder earned won one Big Ten title as a senior after reaching the finals as a sophomore and junior. He finished his senior campaign with a 26-1 record and was the No. 1 seed in his weight class for the 2020 NCAA Championships that was canceled due to COVID-19. He left Ohio State with a 108-21 career record.
During his time at Greater Latrobe High School, Pletcher was a three-time PIAA state champion, consensus top-10 ranked recruit and two-time Super 32 champion.
Updated: 06/03/2025
