Adam Coon

Last updated

Adam Coon
Adam Coon (wrestler).jpg
Personal information
Full nameAdam Jacob Coon
Born (1994-11-14) November 14, 1994 (age 29)
Fowlerville, Michigan, U.S.
Height196 cm (6.43 ft; 77 in)
Sport
CountryUnited States
Sport Wrestling
Weight class130 kg
Event(s) Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Folkstyle
University team Michigan Wolverines
ClubCliff Keen WC
Medal record
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Men's Greco-Roman wrestling
World Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2018 Budapest 130 kg
Pan American Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2019 Buenos Aires 130 kg
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2020 Ottawa 130 kg
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2014 Zagreb 120 kg
Men's Freestyle wrestling
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2014 Zagreb 120 kg
Cadet World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2011 Szombathely 100 kg
Representing Cliff Keen WC
University Freestyle Nationals
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Akron125 kg
FILA Junior Freestyle National Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Las Vegas120 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Michigan Wolverines
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2015 St. Louis285 lb
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2018 Cleveland 285 lb
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2016 New York 285 lb
Big Ten Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2016 Iowa City285 lb
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2018 East Lansing285 lb
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg2015 Columbus285 lb

American football career
Seattle Sea Dragons
Position: Offensive guard
Career information
College: Michigan
Undrafted: 2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active

Adam Jacob Coon (born November 14, 1994) is an American heavyweight wrestle r and professional football player, playing offensive guard for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, notable for not having played football in college. [1] Before pro football, Coon was an accomplished wrestler at the state, national, and international levels. He was a 2011 Cadet World freestyle gold medalist, 2014 Junior World double bronze medalist in both Greco-Roman and freestyle, two-time NCAA Division I finalist (2015, 2018), 2018 Senior World silver medalist in Greco-Roman, and a Pan American gold medalist in 2019 and silver medalist in 2020. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

Coon was a four-time Michigan state high school champion for Fowlerville High School, winning at 215 pounds in 2010 and 2011 and at 285 pounds in 2012 and 2013, while compiling a 212-3 career record, finishing with three straight undefeated seasons. He became 2011 FILA Cadet World champion at 100kg and two-time USA Wrestling Junior Triple Crown winner by capturing titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle in 2012 and 2013. [3] [2] For his 2013 performance, Coon was named Detroit Athletic Club HS Athlete of the Year, and received the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (Midwest region), Michigan's "Mr. Wrestler" award, and the Junior Schalles Award for best high school pinner. [4] [2] Coon lettered in football and track and field, becoming a state runner-up in discus and shot put. He was also in the National Honor Society and the class of 2013 salutatorian. [3] [2]

College wrestling career

Coon enrolled at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering, majoring in aerospace engineering. [2] In his freshman year at heavyweight, he won the Michigan State Open, the Cliff Keen Las Vegas championship (defeating Nick Gwiazdowski in the quarterfinals), and the Ken Kraft Midlands championship, but went 0-2 at the Big Ten championship, and 2-2 at the 2014 NCAA championships to finish shy of All-American honors. [2] That summer he rebounded by winning University Freestyle Nationals at 125 kg, [5] and freestyle and Greco-Roman 120 kg championships at the 2014 FILA Junior World Team Trials to secure his spot at the World Junior Championships. [6] At the world championships, Coon defeated Arata Sonoda in Greco-Roman and Yunus Emre Dede in freestyle to win double bronze, a rare achievement. [7] [2] In his sophomore year, Coon was named team co-captain, capturing another MSU Open championship, finishing third at Cliff Keen, second at the Southern Scuffle, and third at the Big Ten championships. At the 2015 NCAA championships, he lost to Gwiazdowski in the heavyweight finals, going 4-1 and earning All-American, Academic All-Big Ten, and NWCA All-Academic honors. [2] As a junior, Coon won the Greco-Roman 130 kg titles at the 2015 Bill Farrell International Open [8] and at the U.S. Open, placed second at the Big Ten championship after losing to Kyle Snyder in the finals, and went 5-1 at the 2016 NCAA championships to place third behind Snyder and Gwiazdowski, earning All-American and All-Academic honors again. [9] [2] Coon was an alternate in Greco-Roman for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil after placing second at the United States Olympic Team Trials. [10] Despite redshirting due to injury in his senior year, he received a U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award. Coon returned with strong showings as a graduate student for the 2017-18 season, winning his third MSU Open title, second Cliff Keen Invitational title, beating no.1 ranked 2016 gold medalist Kyle Snyder in the Clash at Crisler dual meet for Snyder's first loss in over two years, [11] placing second at the Big Ten championships after losing to Snyder in double over-time, and second at the 2018 NCAA championships after losing to Snyder again, [12] earning All-American and All-Academic honors for the third time, and a second Athletic Academic Achievement Award. Coon finished his college career with a 116-15 overall record and .885 win percentage, the sixth highest in U-M history. [2]

Post-graduate wrestling career

After graduating, Coon pursued an international career in the Greco-Roman style. In 2019, Coon won the gold medal in the 130 kg event at the Pan American Wrestling Championships held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the same year, he also represented the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games in the 130 kg event without winning a medal; he was eliminated in his first match by Yasmani Acosta of Chile who went on to win one of the bronze medals. [13]

At the 2019 World Wrestling Championships held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, he competed in the 130 kg event where he was eliminated in his first match by Meng Lingzhe of China. [14]

In March 2020, at the Pan American Wrestling Championships held in Ottawa, Canada, he won the silver medal in the 130 kg event. [15] A few days later, he competed in the 2020 Pan American Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament, also held in Ottawa, Canada, without qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. [16] In May 2021, he also failed to qualify for the Olympics at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Sofia, Bulgaria. [17] [18]

In January 2023, Coon resumed training in Greco-Roman wrestling with the intention of going to the 2024 Olympics. [10]

Football career

On June 4, 2021, the Tennessee Titans signed Coon to play on the offensive line for them. [19] He was an All-State linebacker in high school and was an honorable mention offensive lineman. He attended the University of Michigan but never played college football. On August 12, 2021, Coon was waived/injured by the Titans and placed on injured reserve. [20] He was released on August 20.

On June 15, 2022, Coon had a workout with the Atlanta Falcons. [21]

Coon was assigned to the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL on January 6, 2023. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Schultz (amateur wrestler)</span> American wrestler (1959–1996)

David Lesley Schultz was an American Olympic and World champion freestyle wrestler, and a seven-time World and Olympic medalist. He coached individuals and teams at the college level and also privately.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Jackson</span> American wrestler and coach (born 1964)

Kevin Andre Jackson is an American retired freestyle and folkstyle wrestler, and mixed martial artist. Following his competitive career, Jackson would become a wrestling coach.

Harry Geris was a Canadian Olympic wrestler who represented Canada in the 1968, 1972, and 1976 Olympics, 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and 1975 Pan American Games.

Michael Najeeb Zadick is an American former folkstyle and freestyle wrestler. He competed in the Men's freestyle 60 kg division at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He lost in the 1/8 finals to Vasyl Fedoryshyn.

William Michael Zadick is an American amateur wrestler. He won an NCAA college wrestling championship while competing with the University of Iowa and a gold medal at the 2006 World Wrestling Championships in freestyle wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Dake</span> American wrestler (born 1991)

Kyle Douglas Dake is an American freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler who currently competes at 74 kilograms. Dake is a four-time World Champion, winning back-to-back titles twice, at 79 kilos in 2018 and 2019 and 74 kilos in 2021 and 2022. He claimed a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. During his first World Championship tournament, Dake outscored his opposition 37 points to zero, not surrendering a single point.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Snyder (wrestler)</span> American freestyle wrestler (born 1995)

Kyle Frederick Snyder is an American freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler who competes at 97 kilograms. He is the youngest Olympic gold medalist and the youngest world champion in American wrestling history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Taylor (wrestler, born 1990)</span> American wrestler (born 1990)

David Morris Taylor III is an American former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competed at 86 kilograms. He is the current head coach of Oklahoma State's wrestling team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J'den Cox</span> American wrestler (born 1995)

J'den Michael Tbory Cox is an American retired freestyle wrestler and folkstyle wrestler who competed at 92 kilograms. In freestyle, Cox was a two-time World Champion at 92 kilos, and while competing at 86 kilos, he claimed a bronze medal from the 2016 Summer Olympics and a 2017 World Championship bronze medal. During college, Cox wrestled for the Missouri Tigers, and was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion and four-time Mid-American Conference champion, becoming one of the most accomplished Tigers in the program's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergey Semenov (wrestler)</span> Russian Greco-Roman wrestler

Sergey Viktorovich Semenov is a Russian Greco-Roman wrestler who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in the 130 kg weight category. In the semifinals he lost to Mijaín López of Cuba (0–3). In the bronze medal match he beat Heiki Nabi of Estonia (6–0). Semenov won the 2017 U23 World Championships. He is a 2017 World Cup gold medalist and a two-time silver medalist. Semenov won the 2018 World Wrestling Championships defeating American Adam Coon in the final, 9–0.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Gilman</span> American freestyle wrestler (born 1994)

Thomas Patrick Gilman is an American retired freestyle wrestler and folkstyle wrestler who competed at 57 kilograms. A Summer Olympic medalist and World champion in 2021, Gilman was most notably also a three-time World Championship medalist. Out of the University of Iowa, he was a three-time NCAA Division I All-American.

Nickolos Edward Gwiazdowski is an American freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler. A two-time NCAA Division I National Champion for the North Carolina State Wolfpack, Gwiazdowski has won two bronze medals at the World Championships, a Pan American Games title, and two Pan American championships for Team USA.

Kyven Ross Gadson is an American amateur wrestler. Currently a senior competitor in amateur freestyle wrestling, earlier Gadson, while wrestling for the Iowa State Cyclones, was a three-time All-American in NCAA Division I collegiate wrestling and won the 2015 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in the 197-lb weight class by pinning future Olympic and World Championship gold medalist Kyle Snyder in his final collegiate match.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan Wolverines wrestling</span> Sports team

The Michigan Wolverines wrestling team is an NCAA Division I Wrestling team competing as members of the Big Ten Conference. The team is coached by Sean Bormet, a two-time All-American at Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joílson Júnior</span> Brazilian Greco-Roman wrestler

Joílson de Brito Ramos Júnior is a Brazilian Greco-Roman wrestler. He is a six-time medalist at the Pan American Wrestling Championships. He also won the gold medal in his event at the 2018 South American Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gable Steveson</span> American professional and freestyle wrestler

Gable Dan Steveson is an American freestyle wrestler and folkstyle wrestler. He also had a brief stint in professional wrestling where he was signed to WWE from 2021 to 2024.

Joseph Christopher McKenna is an American freestyle and graduated folkstyle wrestler who competes at 65 kilograms. In freestyle, he is a two-time Pan American Continental champion, multiple-time Grand Prix medalist, and a U23 World medalist and US National champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabe Dean</span> American wrestler (born 1994)

Gabriel Curtis Dean is an American retired freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler who formerly competed at 86 kilograms. In freestyle, he was the 2020 US National Champion, a '17 Pan American Championship medalist, and a '14 Junior World Championship medalist. He was also the '15 Pan American Championship runner–up in Greco-Roman. As a collegiate wrestler, Dean was a two–time NCAA Division I champion, a four–time EIWA Conference champion, and a four–time NCAA Division I All-American for the Cornell Big Red.

Mason Parris is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 125 kilograms. In freestyle, he claimed the 2019 World Junior Wrestling Championships gold medal. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was the 2023 NCAA Division I national champion and Big Ten Conference champion at 285 pounds for the Michigan Wolverines, and the Dan Hodge Trophy winner.

Nicholas Boone Lee is an American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at 65 kilograms. In freestyle, he is a Pan American champion and a US National champion. Lee represented the United States at 65 kg at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships.

References

  1. 1 2 Gordon, Grant (June 12, 2021). "Can Titans OL Adam Coon be the next Stephen Neal?". NFL.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Adam Coon". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Adam Coon". National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  4. "Schalles Award Winners". WIN magazine. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  5. "ASICS University Freestyle Nationals". The Guillotine. May 25, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  6. "FILA Junior World Team Trials". The Guillotine. May 30, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  7. Bigsby, Patrick (April 24, 2018). "The Strongest Graduate Student in the World". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  8. "Bill Farrell International Open". The Guillotine. November 7, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  9. "2016 NCAA Division I National Championships". The Guillotine. March 19, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Khan, Bill (January 16, 2023). "Fowlerville's Adam Coon resumes quest for Olympic wrestling gold after taking NFL shot". Livingston Daily. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  11. Kornacki, Steve (February 13, 2018). "Michigan's Adam Coon first to beat Olympic gold medalist Snyder since 2015". NCAA.com. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  12. "2018 NCAA Division I Championships". The Guillotine. March 17, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  13. "2019 Pan American Games Wrestling Results" (PDF). United World Wrestling. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  14. "2019 World Wrestling Championships Results" (PDF). United World Wrestling. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  15. Rowbottom, Mike (March 6, 2020). "United States win three golds on day one of Pan American Wrestling Championships in Ottawa". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  16. "2020 Pan American Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament" (PDF). United World Wrestling. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  17. Goodwin, Cody (May 8, 2021). "Ex-Michigan wrestler Adam Coon fails to qualify for 2021 Olympics berth". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  18. "2021 World Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament Results Book" (PDF). United World Wrestling. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  19. Wyatt, Jim (June 4, 2021). "Titans Agree to Terms With Decorated Wrestler Adam Coon". TennesseeTitans.com.
  20. Morris, Jimmy (August 12, 2021). "Titans sign S Tedric Thompson and S Reggie Floyd; Waive WR Kalija Lipscomb and OL Adam Coon (injured)". SBNation.com.
  21. "Falcons worked out veteran center Jonotthan Harrison". yardbarker.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  22. @XFL_PR (January 6, 2023). "Seattle Sea Dragons" (Tweet). Retrieved January 7, 2023 via Twitter.