From National Champion to Jersey Builder: Coach Jimmy Rollins' Wrestling Journey

Airey Bros.'s Radio

In this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we go belly to belly with South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Famer and Clearview High School head coach Jimmy Rollins. From NJCAA and NAIA national champion to leading powerhouse programs like Lindenwood and now building a strong culture back in the Garden State, Coach Rollins shares an epic hero's journey in wrestling. We dive into college vs. high school coaching, recruiting real talk, and why it's always been pork roll over Taylor ham.Whether you're a high school athlete, coach, parent, or just a fan of the grind, this episode is packed with knowledge, passion, and nostalgia from one of the best minds in the sport. Rollins brings college-level experience to Clearview and shares how he's growing both a championship program and the next generation of leaders.
⏱️Show Notes:
0:00 - Welcome to Airey Bros Radio: Our mission & wheelhouse
2:00 - Meet Coach Jimmy Rollins: South Jersey Hall of Famer
3:00 - Clearview Wrestling & 12-month training facilities
6:00 - Olympian Rob Eiter joins the Clearview staff
9:00 - Growing up in Region 8 & South Jersey wrestling roots
11:00 - From Gloucester County to national champ at Dana College
15:00 - The impact of Coach Steve Costanzo at St. Cloud
20:00 - Building a powerhouse at Lindenwood (NAIA to D2 transition)
25:00 - Recruiting student-athletes for life, not just wins
30:00 - The truth about JUCO, NAIA, and overlooked opportunities
35:00 - Life balance, family, and stepping back from college coaching
40:00 - Return to NJ and Clearview – building a legacy
45:00 - Growing girls wrestling in NJ: progress & challenges
53:00 - The Region Realignment Rant: Let’s talk District pride
1:03:00 - High school coaching: Building culture, not just records
1:10:00 - Coach’s rituals, music tastes, & daily mindset
1:14:00 - Coaching in the corner: Know your athlete
1:19:00 - Guilty pleasure? Snickers & Pepsi – only on match day
1:21:00 - Outro: Shoutout to Coach Rollins & what’s next on ABR
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