Tony Islas, Head Coach
Years at Knox: 2001 to present

Education
B.A., 1995, Upper Iowa University

Experience
Tony Islas joined the Knox College Wrestling program as head coach in 2001. In 2007, Islas coached Jaran Rutledge to a third-place showing at the NCAA Division III Championships. Rutledge became Knox College's first All-American wrestler with his third-place effort at heavyweight. Rutledge, an alternate for the 2006 NCAA Championships, was the first Knox wrestler to compete at nationals since Tom MacMillan competed in the event in 1980.

Islas is a native of Rockford, Illinois, graduated from Rockford Auburn High School in 1990. He posted a 33-3-1 record as a senior and was the school's first state qualifier in 14 years. To this day, he holds several records at his alma mater.

Islas graduated from Upper Iowa University, where he was a four-year varsity letter winner in both cross country and wrestling. In 1992, Islas finished sixth in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, was the runner-up in the Gold Division of the UW-Stevens Point Open and placed third in the Iowa Collegiate State Championships. The following season Islas earned a fourth-place finish in the Simpson Invitational. Most recently, Islas was a bronze medalist in the senior division at the AAU Ironman Wrestling World Championships in Greco-Roman, freestyle, and overall styles.

Islas is a member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association and Bronze Certified Coach with USA Wrestling.

Coaching Philosophy
"My first goal is to make our program into one of the top-20 ranked teams in Division III. Secondly, is to add the first All-American to the wrestling program here at Knox, and after that the first national champion. We have outstanding facilities, an incredible training staff, and knowledgeable coaches which are all needed to meet these high expectations."

Contact Information
309-341-7443
tislas@knox.edu

Frank McAndrew, Assistant Coach
Years at Knox: 1979 to present

Education
Ph.D., 1981, Experimental Psychology, University of Maine
B.S., 1974, King's College

Experience
Frank McAndrew assists head coach Tony Islas and is the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College. McAndrew served as the head wrestling coach at Knox between the years of 1985-1989 and 1992-2000.

On the wrestling mat, McAndrew was a two-time place winner (a 2nd & a 3rd) in his high school state tournament in Pennsylvania, and he did his college wrestling at King's College where he was team captain during his senior year. While he was in graduate school, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Maine and continued to compete in open tournaments.

Contact Information
309-341-7525
fmcandre@knox.edu