Donald Ooton III
Summary
Results-driven Coach dedicated to building focused, high-achieving teams through goal-oriented training and mentorship. Skilled at recruiting reliable staff and assistants for unified team culture and purpose-driven squad support. Proponent of detailed finance and resource management to maintain positive perception of program and expand competitive opportunities.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Wrestling Coach
Bucknell University
07.2023 - Current
- Recruit, retain, and develop student-athletes that are the right fit for both the institution and athletic department
- Collaborate with a variety of campus partners to ensure the present and future successes of student-athletes
- Develop and implement strategies to remain competitive in the changing landscape of Division I wrestling
- Build and develop relationships with key stakeholders within the alumni network and local community
- Work in partnership with peers to organize and coordinate both team travel and fundraising
- Manage sport specific equipment and apparel
- Develop, maintain, and execute a wrestling training plan for preseason, off season, and in-season wrestling
- Schedule and coordinate practice, tournaments/duels, and wrestling events throughout regular season and off season
- Train with selected wrestlers individually and in small groups to implement specific strategies for each individuals' success
- Educate athletes on proper nutrition, safe weight loss practices, and positive life choices for better health and performance.
Club Director
Buffalo Valley Regional Training Center
07.2023 - Current
- Develop and implement strategies to remain competitive in the changing landscape of the international styles of wrestling.
- Work in partnership with peers to organize and coordinate both team travel and fundraising events.
- Build and develop relationships with key stakeholders within the alumni network and local community.
- Develop and maintain the Bison System Wrestling Club for youth wrestlers who reside within a 50 mile radius of campus.
- Organize, coordinate, and promote the Bison System wrestling camps including, but not limited to structure, scheduling, staffing, housing, meals, team competitions
Assistant Wrestling Coach
VA Team Predator
05.2010 - 07.2023
- Responsible for the development of individuals based on the individuals' goals and desires to compete at an elite level.
- Our program has an established tradition of producing National Champions, All Americans, State Champions, State placers, as well as placing student athletes into programs where they can continue their academic and athletic career.
- Develop and maintain deep rooted ties within the communities and businesses, developed through years of face to face interactions.
- Assist head coach in overseeing practice warmups, conditioning, and daily exercises while modeling technique.
- Educate individuals on importance of proper nutritional and sleep habits, demonstrating impact on physical performance.
- Develop game plans and adjusted to meet various game situations.
- Evaluate tapes of competition matches to assess strategies and plan counter approaches.
- Promote proper stretching, warmups and conditioning exercises to prevent sports injuries.
- Participate in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Apply critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions.
Head Wrestling Coach
Glen Allen High School, Henrico County Schools
09.2014 - 06.2016
Assistant Wrestling Coach
Bucknell University
08.2008 - 05.2010
Education
Undecided -
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VABachelor of Science - Physical Education
SUNY College At Brockport
Brockport, NY05.2008
Skills
- Wrestling fundamentals
- Athlete recruiting
- Mentoring and coaching
- Safety awareness
- Nutritional education
- Physical and endurance training
- Performance improvements
- Video analysis
- Fundraising abilities
- Travel Coordination
- Competition Preparation
- Coaching Staff Oversight
- Practice Management
- Creativity and Flexibility
- Parent Communication
- Alumni engagement
Certification
- USA Wrestling Member, Bronze Level Certification
- Current First Aid/CPR/AED Certified
Affiliations
- Personal: 3x VA State Champion 2006 NCAA All - American 149 lbs. 8th 2007 NCAA All - American 149 lbs. 5th 2009 World Team Trials Qualifier 63kgs. Professional MMA record 5-2 Career: 15 D1 NCAA Qualifiers Academic All Americans, 6 12 Individual State Champions (NY, VA, PA)
- 12 Individual State Champions (NY, VA, PA)
Timeline
Assistant Wrestling Coach
Bucknell University
07.2023 - Current
Club Director
Buffalo Valley Regional Training Center
07.2023 - Current
Head Wrestling Coach
Glen Allen High School, Henrico County Schools
09.2014 - 06.2016
Assistant Wrestling Coach
VA Team Predator
05.2010 - 07.2023
Assistant Wrestling Coach
Bucknell University
08.2008 - 05.2010
Undecided -
Virginia Tech
Bachelor of Science - Physical Education
SUNY College At Brockport