Sams Hired to Lead Statesmen Wrestling Program
Oskaloosa–William Penn University Athletics Director Aleesha Rabedeaux is proud to announce the hiring of Drew Sams as the new Head Men’s Wrestling Coach.
A native of Oskaloosa, Sams returns to his hometown after spending the past three seasons as the head assistant coach at Graceland University in Lamoni. While at GU, he coached 10 national qualifiers and three All-Americans. In 2024, the Yellowjackets placed second at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship; all 12 of his athletes placed in the top six at the Championship.
“We are thrilled to add Coach Sams to our team and for him to lead our men’s wrestling program,” Rabedeaux said. “Throughout the entire hiring process, Coach Sams displayed an unwavering desire to lead the Statesmen wrestling program, along with a contagious energy and enthusiasm to lead our student-athletes. He is uniquely prepared with experience as a student-athlete and coach in our conference, as well as a deep tie to the community of Oskaloosa. We look forward to what is to come for the men’s wrestling program with Coach Sams at the helm.”
Graceland also excelled academically during Sams’ tenure, including finishing third in the NWCA Scholar All-American team standings. He guided 14 NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 16 NWCA Scholar All-Americans. GU also won the 2023-2024 Heart Musco Sportsmanship Award.
Sams was also an instructor of Health and Movement Science at Graceland during the 2023-2024 school year.
A graduate of Graceland in 2021 with a degree in Allied Health, Sams was a four-time NAIA national qualifier and an All-American in 2021. A three-time team captain, he was a strong scholar who twice was named to the NAIA NWCA all-academic team as well as to numerous academic lists at GU.
“I am extremely honored and grateful for this opportunity from Aleesha Rabedeaux to be able to come home to Oskaloosa and join the William Penn family,” Sams said. “Oskaloosa has always held a special place in my heart, and to be able to return as the new Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at WPU is truly humbling. I cannot wait to get to work with the talented student-athletes here and help them reach new heights, both on the mat and in life. Together, we are going to build a championship culture that embodies the values of community, commitment, integrity, and family, while pursuing athletic and academic excellence.”
“I have so much admiration for the incredible work that Coach Scott has put in over the past seven years to shape these athletes into remarkable young men,” Sams added. “I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to build upon the foundation he has established and further develop this program.”
Sams, who also received his Master’s of Nutrition and Human Performance degree from GU in 2023, owns numerous certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, including being a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Corrective Exercise Specialist.
