Building Champions at TCNJ with Coach Joe Galante | D3 Wrestling, Culture & Grit

Airey Bros.'s Radio

In Episode 360 of Airey Bros Radio, we’re going belly-to-belly with one of the top minds in NCAA Division III wrestling: Coach Joe Galante of The College of New Jersey. A South Jersey native and TCNJ alum, Coach Galante has built a powerhouse rooted in culture, consistency, and care.We dig deep into his origin story, the evolution of TCNJ Wrestling, and what makes the Lions stand out in the D3 landscape. From developing All-Americans and high-character humans to incorporating yoga, mindset, and nutrition coaching—Coach Galante shares what it takes to build a championship program on and off the mat.We also talk about transfers, alumni legacy, academic standards, wrestling camps, CrossFit integration, and why a strong culture wins championships.Whether you're a coach, recruit, parent, or diehard fan of New Jersey wrestling, this one is loaded with actionable insights, heartfelt moments, and even a few laughs. Don’t miss it!
⏱️ Show Notes & Topics Covered:
0:00 – Intro: Why TCNJ, New Jersey roots & building pipelines
1:40 – Coach Galante’s wrestling/coaching origin story
6:50 – The role of TCNJ camps in recruiting & community
12:00 – From Ocean City PE closet to college head coach
17:15 – Transfers, D1 bounce-backs & building a complete lineup
21:30 – Team culture: bonding, service, & communication
24:40 – Scholar All-Americans & academic structure at TCNJ
28:50 – Yoga, mindset, nutrition & longevity in college wrestling
36:00 – Spotting diamonds in the rough during recruiting
43:00 – How to balance performance goals vs. outcomes
50:10 – Delegating as head coach & coaching staff structure
55:20 – Offseason prep & who’s coming back in 2025
1:00:50 – Emotional highs at Nationals & Saturday mindset
1:07:10 – Growing up with a coach dad & wrestling family
1:14:30 – CrossFit, cold dips, bone broth & staying dialed
1:19:40 – Guilty pleasures, family life, and building legacy
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