Kent State has hired Clay Wenger as the first head coach of its women's wrestling program, bringing the former Golden Flash back to his alma mater to build the program from the ground up.

Wenger comes to Kent State after two seasons as the inaugural head coach at Mount Union, where he launched the school's NCAA women's wrestling program and built the roster from zero to 30 wrestlers within a year. Mount Union produced two national qualifiers and eight regional placers during his tenure, finished in the top 10 at its regional tournament and placed among the top 25 nationally. The program's biggest moment came at the inaugural NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships in Coralville, where Abigail Mozden placed fifth to become Mount Union's first women's wrestling All-American.

Before Mount Union, Wenger spent several seasons as head coach at Wadsworth, one of Northeast Ohio's established high school programs. His teams compiled a 71-12 dual record while winning five sectional championships, two district championships and five regional dual titles. He coached 24 state placers, 17 All-Americans and four state champions at Wadsworth, including current Kent State wrestler Chris Earnest, who won a MAC championship in 2026. Wenger was named Greater Cleveland Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2021.

Through USA Wrestling, Wenger has produced a Cadet national champion, a FILA national champion and five freestyle All-Americans. He also founded BattleZone Wrestling Club in Northeast Ohio roughly 15 years ago, which has developed more than 30 state champions and was recognized among the nation's top clubs in 2016 and 2017.

Wenger competed for Kent State's men's wrestling program from 2011-15, making his hire a homecoming of sorts. Current Kent State director of wrestling and men's head coach Josh Moore was an assistant with the Golden Flashes during Wenger's time as a competitor.