MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As the West Virginia University wrestling team prepares for the 2025-26 season, head coach Tim Flynn is focused on building on the program’s recent achievements. The Mountaineers are coming off a year marked by a sixth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships and a top-20 result at the NCAA Championships, with fifth-year wrestler Peyton Hall securing third place nationally.
Flynn, entering his eighth year as head coach, said his approach remains consistent but he continues to make small changes. “I think most things stay the same,” Flynn said. “If you’re not making little adjustments, you’re probably not learning anything. Minor adjustments every year to try to get this system perfect.”
The team’s roster includes several experienced wrestlers. Redshirt sophomore Ty Watters returns after an injury ended his previous season early. Graduate student Jett Strickenberger, who won the 2025 Big 12 title, and newcomer Willie McDougald, a three-time NCAA qualifier from Oklahoma, are also expected to play key roles.
Flynn highlighted Watters’ positive influence on the team. “I think one of the best things he brings to the table is his attitude every day,” Flynn said. “He’s a pretty upbeat guy. He’s pretty happy. He wants to be here, wants to lift weights, wants to run. I think when you have someone like that around, it’s infectious.”
Leadership within the team is also important for Flynn. Redshirt junior Ian Bush made his first NCAA Championships appearance last season and has taken on more responsibility. “Some people are leaders by how they conduct themselves,” Flynn said. “I think Ian Bush has been a leader for a little bit now because he keeps his mouth shut, comes to work every day and has the same effort every day. I think that’s why he has been getting better.”
The Mountaineers compete in the Big 12 Conference, which Flynn describes as one of the most competitive in the country. Last season, two Big 12 teams finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships, with Oklahoma State placing third. Flynn noted, “If you’re competing well in the Big 12, you’re usually pretty good nationally. The Big 12 is a really difficult conference. I think any time you’re doing well within the conference and placing at the conference [championship], you put yourself in a position to do well at nationals, which is ultimately everyone’s goal.”
Looking ahead, Flynn wants to see continued progress for the program. “We were a top-20 team the last two years; we want to keep moving up,” Flynn said. “Top 10 would be the next step, hopefully higher. We have a number of kids who can place this year and a couple of kids who can compete for a national championship.
“Keeping them hungry and healthy is a big part of it. I’m excited. We have a good culture now and a good group of kids. It’s a lot of fun, so it makes coaching a little bit easier.”