Head Coach - Mike Patrovich
For over a decade Mike Patrovich was one of the most high profile wrestlers competing on Long Island. At Islip High School, Mike was a 3x County Champion, a 3x All-State wrestler and was the 2001 New York State Champion at 152 pounds. He also was an NHSCA High School National Champion in 2001, following Jesse Jantzen and Jon Masa who had won the year prior.
After his tremendous career at Islip, Mike chose to stay on Long Island and wrestle for Hofstra University. At Hofstra, Mike was a 2x NCAA All-American. He advanced to the NCAA semi-finals both his junior and senior seasons, losing both times to the eventual champion. Mike was 4th at the 2006 NCAA Tourney and 6th at the 2007 NCAA tourney. Patrovich is one of only 5 wrestlers to win 100 matches in Section XI during his high school career and also win 100 matches in Division I in college.
Following his college career, Mike continued his contributions to wrestling on Long Island by serving as the Head Wrestling Coach at Half Hollow Hills West high school where he coached Tyler Grimaldi to a State Championship. Mike moved on to coach the Eastport South Manor HS team where he helped produce several NYS Champions and is currently the Head Assistant Coach at Hofstra University.
Coach - Ryan Patrovich
Coach Patrovich is the head clinician for the Youth Elite Wrestling Club. Ryan has competed and coached at every level of wrestling, being both a member of the Hofstra wrestling team and as a member of Hofstra’s prestigious coaching staff.
While wrestling at Hofstra Patrovich was a two-time team captain, a four-year letterman, a three-time NCAA qualifier (advancing to the round of 12 twice), the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association champion at 174 pounds. Over his Hofstra career, he recorded a 75-38 record including a 20-16 mark in duals and a 9-2 record in the CAA. In addition to the CAA Championship, Patrovich captured the 174-pound title at the 2009 North Carolina State Open, finished second at the 2008 Missouri Open and placed fifth at both the Cliff Keen-Las Vegas Invitational and the Southern Scuffle in 2009. He also placed sixth at the Southern Scuffle in 2007.
Coach Ryan is considered amongst the best Long Island wrestlers of all time. While at Islip High School, Ryan Patrovich was a three-time New York State Championship finalist with state titles in 2005 and 2006, and a three-time Suffolk County champion from 2004 through 2006. He was also a High School Senior National finalist, a two-time Junior National finalist, a FILA Junior National finalist and a two-time Cadet All-American. Ryan was also a Suffolk County and Long Island Wrestler of the Year, as well as the Dellicave Award winner as best athlete in Suffolk County.
Coach - Jamie Franco
Coach Franco was a volunteer assistant wrestling coach from 2016 through 2018, returned to the Hofstra Pride wrestling staff as an assistant coach in October 2018. Coach Franco was promoted in September 2021 to Associate Head Coach for the Hofstra Pride.
Franco returned to the University after serving as operations manager of the Longo and Weidman MMA Training Center in nearby Garden City, New York from 2014 through 2018.
Shortly after starting at Longo and Weidman MMA, Franco added the double duty of owner and head coach at the LAW Wrestling Academy also in Garden City, handling scheduling, coaching and conducting practices for wrestlers and fighters from the ages of 5 through 30.
A three-time NCAA Championship qualifier who wrestled at Hofstra from 2009 through 2014, Franco was a two-time Colonial Athletic Association finalist and recorded 75 victories with the Pride during his college career. After posting a career-best 21-13 record and advancing to the CAA Championship finals as a sophomore, he recorded a 19-15 mark including a 3-0 record in the CAA Championship to capture the 133-pound title in 2012-13 record. Franco wrapped up his collegiate career at 125 pounds with a 21-15 overall record, including a 6-1 mark in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), and a New York State Collegiate Championship title in 2013-14.
Coach - Corey Dolson
Coach Dolson has been a staple in Section XI wrestling for the past 25 years, first as a competitor, and now as one of the top coaches in NY. Cory was an All-County wrestler for Rocky Point High School who went on to Cortland College to continue his academic and athletic career.
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Cory’s wrestling career continued to blossom when he finished competing individually. He has been the Head wrestling coach of Mattituck for the past 15 years, winning five DII Suffolk County Championships, having 4 State Champions, and 12 All-State wrestlers. In acknowledgement of his efforts and stellar accomplishments, Coach Dolson has added an impressive five DII Coach of the Year trophies to his mantle.