Branch Hires Josh Heil as Assistant Wrestling Coach

LARAMIE -- University of Wyoming wrestling head coach Mark Branch Friday announced an addition to his coaching staff. Josh Heil is joining the program as an assistant coach.

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“Walking into this situation with a really solid team and an awesome coaching staff, I’m looking to make an instant impact and help propel the program to the next level,” Heil said. “There is a ton of momentum coming off of two consecutive years with an All-American, and on top of that an announcement for a new wrestling facility.”

Heil arrives in Laramie from Campbell where he was assistant coach each of the last three seasons. He helped the Fighting Camels capture a SoCon regular-season title in 2024 and coached a total of eight NCAA qualifiers and one All-American over his three years.

Heil was an All-American himself as a student-athlete at Campbell at 141 pounds. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier – three as a 141-pounder and twice as a 149-pounder – and a three-time SoCon champion. He accumulated over 100 wins in his Fighting Camel career.

Heil is originally from Brunswick, Ohio. His brother, Dean, is also in the collegiate coaching ranks as an assistant at George Mason. The latter, an Oklahoma State standout, knocked off Wyoming's Bryce Meredith in the 141-pound NCAA title match back in 2016. The Cheyenne native finally broke through against Heil the following season, snapping his 55-match match win streak inside Storey Gym.

Josh Heil will primarily work with Wyoming’s light and middleweights. The Pokes welcome back four NCAA qualifiers – Gabe Willochell (149), Jared Hill (157), Eddie Neitenbach (184) and Joey Novak (197) – and one alternate, Cole Brooks (141), ahead of the 2025-26 season.

“Joining the Wyoming wrestling family is a great opportunity,” Heil said. “I’m excited for the future for my wife and I. She’s been very supportive, as we made the decision to move across the country to be part of this great program.”

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

During the summer of 2021, 7220Sports.com counted down the Top 50 football players in University of Wyoming history, presented by Premier Bone & Joint Centers, Worthy of Wyoming.

The rules are simple: What was the player's impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn't a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220's Cody Tucker are Robert Gagliardi, Jared Newland, Ryan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS -- only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don't agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports - #Top50UWFB

Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

Filed Under: Wyoming wrestling