Ryan Timmerman named inaugural women’s wrestling head coach

Director of Athletics Renae Hartl and Luther men’s wrestling head coach Dave Mitchell announce Ryan Timmerman as the first women’s wrestling head coach at Luther College. He will begin on Tuesday, April 15.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to be the inaugural women’s wrestling head coach at Luther College,” Timmerman said. “The culture of success that Coach Mitchell and his staff have created along with the incredible new wrestling facility, training space, athletic training, and locker room updates are a once in a lifetime situation for me and my family.”

“What an exciting time for women’s wrestling in the state of Iowa, the Midwest, and around the nation,” Hartl said. “We are thrilled to join the hype with naming our inaugural coach today. Coach Ryan Timmerman is the right person to lead our program as he joins Coach Billy Huebner, who has been speaking with interested future Norse since the announcement of our new program.”

Timmerman has been coaching wrestling at St. Peter High School since 2012 and is currently the co-head coach for the Saints. He has helped grow the program, and has led the team to eight consecutive winning seasons.

A two-time NCAA All-American wrestler at St. Olaf College, Timmerman finished third at the NCAA Championships in 2011 and fourth in 2012. He holds the career record for wins and was the team captain for the Oles all four years. He graduated with a bachelor’s in biology in 2012, and earned his master’s degree in environmental education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2015.

“I am excited to welcome Ryan and his family to the greater Luther College wrestling community,” Mitchell said. “He has impressive wrestling accolades, a strong work ethic, and a genuine enthusiasm that will serve the young women he coaches well. I am excited to work alongside him as he works to build a strong women’s wrestling program at Luther.”

“I want to thank Director of Athletics Renae Hartl, the search committee and President Brad Chamberlain for this opportunity,” Timmerman said. “I plan to start recruiting immediately and build a schedule with Dave and Renae next week. My culture within the Luther women’s program will be built with the cornerstones of faith, family and fight.”

Luther announced the addition of women’s wrestling as the college’s 22nd varsity sport in 2024, and with the selection of Timmerman, the college plans to host its inaugural season in 2025-26.

A native of St. Peter, Minnesota, he and his wife Tasha have three children, daughters Hailie and Lexi and son R.J., and are looking to relocate to Decorah this summer. He is currently a special education teacher along with his coaching duties at St. Peter High.