Worcester, MA ---  WPI Director of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Dana L. Harmon announced today that Rob Polin has been elevated to co-head wrestling coach.  Polin joins former teammate Lance Baden at the helm of the Engineer program.

Polin was a standout wrestler for Hall of Fame head coach Phil Grebinar in the late 1990's, earning a pair of All-New England honors for the Crimson and Gray.  In 1997 he earned the honor at 134 pounds before turning the trick a year later as a senior captain at 125 pounds. Polin has served two different stints as an assistant coach at WPI, including last winter under Baden.

"Rob Polin has been an important member of the WPI wrestling family as a wrestler, assistant coach and now taking on more leadership as co-head coach," said Harmon. "Lance and Rob have always had a strong partnership going back to their days as wrestlers and we look forward to their joint leadership of our wrestling program."    

"I am honored and excited to be named co-head coach," commented Polin. "While I was at WPI, there was always a family-type atmosphere within the wrestling room, as well as, with the alumni.  I consider Lance Baden like a brother, so when he approached me with the opportunity to join him as co-head coach, I couldn't say no.  I will do everything in my power to make this team succeed and still maintain the WPI family tradition."  

Polin returned to Boynton Hill in 2001 and assisted Grebinar for four years before departing for a two-year run at Bridgewater State.  He came back to WPI as an assistant for the 2008-2009 campaign.  In his seven years as an assistant, Polin coached eight New England champions, 15 finalists, 37 All-New England athletes and nine NCAA qualifiers. 

He also enjoyed success at the high school level, coaching at Randolph and Canton High Schools.  He helped Canton to three top-10 Massachusetts finishes, including third place in 2003. 

Polin, a native of Randolph, MA, graduated from WPI in 1998 with a degree in mechanical engineering.  He is currently employed as an electrical engineer for Independent Electric Supply in Somerville.