CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State Athletics has announced the hiring of Brett Hunter as the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development.
"I am excited to begin a new chapter as Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development," Hunter said. "Chadron State and the Chadron community have given so much to me and my family, and I am grateful that this new role allows me to continue giving back. I look forward to serving student-athletes across all of our programs and helping them grow academically, personally, and professionally."
Hunter, who has spent the last 14 seasons as the head coach for the Chadron State men's wrestling program, will step away from coaching to move into his new administrative role. His first day on the job was Wednesday, September 23.
"Stepping away from Chadron State Wrestling was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made," Hunter said. "I am deeply grateful to everyone who invested in our program and believed in what we were building together."
"Brett Hunter has been an outstanding leader of our men's wrestling program for many years, and his success speaks for itself," Director of Athletics
Mannie Reinsch said. "While we will certainly miss Brett as a head coach, I'm excited about the opportunity to have him bring his experience, perspective and passion for developing student-athletes into our administrative team."
In his new role, Hunter will be responsible for the development, coordination, and oversight of comprehensive student-athlete programming that supports academic success, personal development, and the overall student-athlete experience. Hunter will develop programming and learning opportunities for CSC student-athletes focusing on leadership, life skills and personal growth, in collaboration with various academic support departments.
In addition, Hunter will take over administrative control of Chadron State's athletic camps for all sports, including registration, promotion and marketing. Hunter's position will also be present at alumni engagement events and will monitor student-athlete participation hours to ensure NCAA compliance.
"Brett has spent years mentoring and developing our student-athletes through coaching," Reinsch said. "He understands the challenges our student-athletes face and the opportunities they have in front of them. His perspective will be incredibly valuable as we continue to strengthen our student-athlete development efforts."
The move to administration ends a 23-year run in which Hunter has been a part of the Chadron State men's wrestling program, either as a student-athlete, assistant coach, or head coach for the past 14 seasons.
Hunter and the Eagles won an RMAC Championship during the 2023-24 season, which saw Hunter win RMAC Coach of the Year and NWCA Region VI Coach of the Year honors. Between Quen Campbell (runner-up at 133 in 2023),
Keegan Gehlhausen (runner-up at 184 in 2025) and
Mason Villwok (third place at 197 in 2026), Hunter has coached three Eagle wrestlers to top three national finishes in his past four seasons.
"I genuinely loved every student-athlete I had the privilege of coaching," Hunter said. I will always be grateful to the young men who trusted me enough to come to Chadron, believed in our program and allowed me to be part of their lives."
Hunter coached 10 All-Americans and 27 national qualifiers during his time at the helm of Chadron State wrestling. Hunter is going out on a high, with CSC's four national qualifiers and three All-Americans (Gehlhausen, Villwok and
Quade Smith) both single-season records for Hunter's tenure.
The Eagles also set a program record this past season with 10 NWCA Academic All-Americans.
"Our athletes gave so much of themselves to Chadron State Wrestling, and they taught me and shaped me just as much as I ever coached them," Hunter said.
As a student-athlete and CSC alum, Hunter is the school's only two-time national champion – winning at 165 pounds in 2007 and 174 pounds in 2009 – and holds the program record for wins. He is a member of the Chadron State Athletics Hall of Fame.
