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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri wrestling head coach Brian Smith announced the promotion of Dom Bradley to a full-time assistant coach Monday, July 3. Bradley spent the last four seasons as a volunteer assistant coach with Missouri.
“I have had the privilege to be with Dom now for many years,” said Coach Smith. “I coached him as a student-athlete, and now I get to coach alongside him as he enters the twilight of his wrestling career. He is well respected all around the State of Missouri and brings a wealth of knowledge to the room, not just with the guys on the mat but with my staff as well. Dom lives Tiger Style every day and we are so grateful to have him.”
“I am beyond grateful to coach Smith and Desiree for the opportunity to continue my work with Tiger Style,” stated Bradley. “It has been a dream of mine to coach here at Mizzou, where I spent my college career. The role may change, but the goal remains the same; continue to elevate the program and cement it as one of the best in the country.”
Bradley was a staple in the lineup for coach Smith, winning a Big 12 title and then placing third at the 2011 NCAA Championships. The Blue Springs, Mo. native won a Mid-American Conference in 2013, followed by a fourth-place nod at the national tournament. The two-time All-American is still the only heavyweight to win a Big 12 championship for Mizzou and the second in the weight class to become an All-American.
Bradley earned several program accolades throughout his Tiger Style career, starting with the Marshall Esteppe Most Outstanding Freshman award in 2009. In 2010, he added the Hap Whitney Coach’s Award, given to the wrestler who displays dedication, commitment, sacrifice and unselfishness, followed by being named the program’s Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2011.
Bradley is 20th in Mizzou history with 105 wins throughout his career, while his career winning percentage (.875, 100-win minimum) ranks fourth all-time. He lettered at Mizzou from 2009-13, taking an Olympic redshirt in 2012.
Throughout and after college, Bradley continued to have success in freestyle wrestling. The Missouri native totaled three U.S. Open titles, three Pan-American Championships and a Junior World title in 2009. He has placed third at U.S. World Team Trials four times, second once, and finished third at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2016.
During the last four seasons on staff, Bradley has been an integral part of the development of the student-athletes and was in the corner for Keegan O’Toole‘s consecutive National Championships in 2022 and 2023. The team has had 10 All-American performances and seven conference champions during his time as the volunteer assistant coach.
Most recently, Bradley was a key fixture, working extensively with heavyweight Zach Elam. Under his tutelage, the heavyweight finished sixth at the 2023 NCAA Championship and earned his first All-American honor. Elam became the first in the weight class to become an All-American since Bradley and finished the season 22-6 with four pins and a career-high winning percentage (.785).
Bradley graduated from Missouri in 2013 with a degree in hospitality management. He and his wife Kayla were married in 2020 and have a daughter, Gabriella and son, D’Angelo. Bradley received his master’s degree in positive coaching and athletic leadership in 2023 from Mizzou.
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