CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — On Friday, U of I athletic director Josh Whitman placed head wrestling coach Mike Poeta on indefinite administrative leave.
The 2025-26 season is Poeta’s fifth as the head coach of the program. This past season, he led Illinois to finish 10th as a team at the NCAA Championships, which is their highest finish in nine years since the 2015-16 season. Last year was also highlighted by Lucas Byrd winning the national championship at 133 pounds.
Poeta was a former wrestler for the U of I, competing from 2004-2008. The Highwood, Illinois native was a member of the 2005 Big Ten championship team, and was a three-time All-America, two-time NCAA finalist, and two-time Big Ten champion.
Poeta will remain away from the program while the University conducts an investigation into potential violations of his employment agreement stemming from possible noncompliance with University fiscal control policies.
Assistant coach Jeremy Hunter will serve as acting head coach.
The team will continue its season on Sunday, December 21 with Duals against Cornell and LeHigh.