AZ Wrestler got to pick the brain of new Arizona State University Assistant Coach, Raymond Jordan about his new position, his view on ASU wrestling, his history in the sport and how he intends to help the Sun Devils get back to the highest level of success.

 What do you find most rewarding—and most challenging—about being a collegiate coach that led you to taking this position?

What I find most rewarding about being a collegiate coach is helping someone reach their ultimate goals and dreams in the sport. The thing that I think I will find most challenging will be effectively communicating with guys so I understand how to motivate them and help them reach their potential.

What is your coaching style?

My coaching style right now is not very structured because this is my first year and I have to start from scratch to see what my coaching style is, but I am around a lot of great coaches who I can take some of their best qualities and form a great coaching style by mixing it into the way I coach already.

When did you get involved in wrestling, and why?

I got involved with wrestling when I was 12 because I got cut from the basketball team. I figured that if my last name was Jordan and I was from North Carolina that I couldn't go wrong with basketball. It was probably the best thing that ever happened to me by getting cut from the team.

What have been some of your greatest accomplishments?

Some of my greatest accomplishments have been being part of the team that placed the highest in Missouri"s history in 2007 (3rd). And becoming a two time All-American my junior and senior season.

What is it that you love about wrestling?

The thing that I love most about wrestling is that it is a lot like life and that you have the responsibility to make yourself the best you can be. In an individual sport like wrestling you are part of a team, but when you are out there they can't help you so you are in complete control of what happens to you and how you do things. It is a lot like life it isn't always fair, but neither is life.

With all of your success, both as a wrestler and now as a coach, have you ever experienced a humbling moment on the mat?

The most humbling moment in my career as a wrestler was after I lost in the round of 12 as a sophomore. It showed me that there was a lot more to be learned and that I had to turn up my intensity on the highest stage of all. I haven't really had any humbling moments as a coach because I'm starting fresh this year.

Who has been the biggest influence on you?

The biggest influence for me is my high school coach Tom Marsh. He was like a father figure to me and helped me get through many tough and trying time through out my life and I could never thank him enough for how much he has helped me. He showed me a different side of life than I was used to seeing and that in part is why I am where I'm at today.

What are your goals for yourself and the Sun Devils this year?

The goals are short and simple and that is to do the right things in order to compete for Pac-10 and National Championships from the start. We are going to commit to doing things right so we can reach the highest level of success.

What advice can you give to the high school kids of Arizona who want to wrestle in college?

My advice to high school kids is to start getting things lined up and taking the initiative to find out the necessary steps and procedures to plan for the future. I think it starts with a great focus on doing things right in the classroom. Along with that I think that there must be a realization that people who are successful aren't magic or special. People who are successful are just normal people who worked hard everyday to make their dreams come true. Which means anyone can be successful if they follow their dreams and work hard.

What advice can you give to the the Arizona Wrestling community to help promote wrestling at ASU?

I would like to encourage the community to help us in our pursuit of returning this program to national prominence. I feel that any program that is very successful is due to the support of the community. The community is special and their involvement will spark extra motivation and determination in people that was never thought possible. Amazing things can happen when a group of people come together for a common purpose or cause that they believe in and I ask that our community please just help us and believe in us. We won't let you down and we will do everything in our power to do things right and be the best.

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