Hayden Hidlay, NC State wrestling’s first-ever five-time All-American, will return to Raleigh as an assistant coach for the Wolfpack, head coach Pat Popolizio announced on March 24.
Hidlay is recognized as one of the most decorated athletes in the program’s history and will rejoin his alma mater after coaching stints at Stanford and North Dakota State. His return is expected to strengthen the program with both his athletic experience and coaching background.
Hidlay spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Stanford, following a year at North Dakota State. After graduating from NC State in 2022, he served as student-athlete development coordinator for Wolfpack wrestling. “Hayden was one of the most impactful student-athletes we’ve ever had, not only just within our program, but both at the conference and national levels too,” said Popolizio. “As one of the winningest wrestlers in NC State school history, he was our program’s first-ever five-time All-American, all while accumulating academic accolades across the board as well.” Popolizio also said that Hidlay recently guided Aden Valencia to a national championship at this year’s NCAA Wrestling Championships.
During his time with Stanford, Hidlay helped lead the team through its inaugural years in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), contributing to a historic sixth-place finish at this season’s NCAA Championships and mentoring a wrestler who became only Stanford’s third national champion.
“I am honored to be returning to NC State wrestling,” said Hayden Hidlay. He thanked his wife for her support and expressed gratitude toward coaches Chris Ayres and Obe Blanc for their mentorship over recent years. “The stakes have never been higher for NC State wrestling. The competition in our conference has never been tougher. I know what is needed of me, and I am ready to answer the call,” he said.
As an athlete competing at 157 and 174 pounds for NC State, Hidlay recorded 110 career wins with a .909 win-loss percentage—the second-highest in school history—and achieved four individual ACC championships along with being named ACC Wrestler of the Year in 2020. He was also awarded NC State’s H.C. Kennet Award as top student-athlete in 2022.