Lofthouse Added to UVU Coaching Staff

OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University head coach Greg Williams announced on Monday that he's added Luke Lofthouse to his coaching staff. The former strength and conditioning coach at the University of Iowa and former All-American wrestler for the Hawkeyes will join Williams' staff as a volunteer assistant.

"We are excited to have Luke with us. He has a passion for coaching and is already making an impact with our wrestlers through his energy, knowledge and work ethic," said Williams. "Luke believes in the vision we have here at UVU and we are happy to have him back in Utah."

Lofthouse not only returns to his home state of Utah, as he hails from Avon, Utah, but also reunites with his nephews Ethen Lofthouse and Raider Lofthouse at Utah Valley as well. Ethen, who was recently promoted from a volunteer assistant to a full-time assistant at UVU, will work alongside Luke on Williams' staff while Raider will enter his redshirt freshman season at Utah Valley this fall after redshirting at 157 pounds for the Wolverines during the 2014-15 campaign.

"It's exciting to be back close to family and to be able to work with my nephews here at UVU," Lofthouse said. "I like the team, I like the coaching staff, and I like what's happening with youth wrestling here in Utah. There's a lot of opportunity for development and growth, not only for me personally, but also us as a program and a university."

Luke Lofthouse recently completed his third season as the strength and conditioning coach for coach Tom Brands at his alma mater of Iowa. Prior to his gig as the strength and conditioning coach for the Hawkeyes, Lofthouse capped his wrestling career with an All-American finish during his senior season (2011) by placing fifth in the nation at 197 pounds. That year he posted a 25-7 record and a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships. During his four-year career as a Hawkeye, Lofthouse compiled a 57-39 win-loss record and received UI's John & Dorothy Sill Award, which is presented to the team's most dedicated wrestler, during his senior season.

Lofthouse, who prepped at Mountain Crest High School in Hyrum, Utah, was a three-time Utah State Champion during his high school days. He went a combined 161-8 while at Mountain Crest and went undefeated during both his sophomore (41-0) and junior (43-0) seasons. Lofthouse was also a three-time Utah state wrestler of the year, as well as a Wrestling USA Academic All-American as a senior. He also set school records for most wins in a season (44) and career (161), least career losses (8), consecutive falls (35), and most falls in a season (41) and career (123) while at Mountain Crest.

"I've been exposed to a lot of different coaches throughout my career and this has definitely allowed me to grow in all aspects of the sport," added Lofthouse. "You always have to be a student of the game in wrestling, and I've been able to learn a lot over the years including on the psychological side. Hopefully I can help teach some of these experiences and lessons that I've learned to the team and I'm looking forward to coaching here at UVU."

Lofthouse was also a member of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club in 2012. He and his wife, Allison, have a son, Nicholas, and a daughter, Lilly. He is a 2011 graduate of the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in heath sciences (health coaching emphasis).

Luke and Ethen Lofthouse, along with associate head coach Erkin Tadzhimetov will make up Williams' staff for the 2015-16 season.