VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton head wrestling coach Ryan LeBlanc announced Tuesday the hiring of Luke Welch as associate head coach of the Binghamton wrestling program.

The hiring reunites LeBlanc and Welch, as the duo worked together for five seasons at The Citadel from 2020-25. Welch served as an assistant coach under LeBlanc from 2020-24, before being promoted to associate head coach on July 5, 2024. After LeBlanc was named the head coach at Binghamton on Aug. 25, 2025, Welch served as the Interim head coach at The Citadel for the 2025-26 season.

"We're excited to welcome Luke Welch to Binghamton as our associate head coach," said LeBlanc. "Luke is someone I've had the opportunity to work alongside for five years at The Citadel, and I've seen firsthand the impact he has on a program. He brings tremendous character, a strong work ethic, and a proven track record of developing wrestlers at a high level. Luke will make an immediate impact on our student-athletes, both on and off the mat. He understands what it takes to build a championship culture, and is fully aligned with our vision for Binghamton wrestling. We're fortunate to add someone of his caliber to our staff."

"I am excited for the opportunity to work at Binghamton University," said Welch. "The school and wrestling program have set forth a strong set of beliefs and values that I can really resonate with, and I am humbled with the opportunity to represent the university. It is also exciting to have the opportunity to work with high-character student-athletes, as well as the great people that make up Binghamton Athletics. I have had the opportunity to work under Coach LeBlanc in the past, and I am excited to pick up where we left off! Go Bearcats!"

Along with LeBlanc, Welch helped The Citadel's wrestling program reach new heights. The two coaches led the Bulldogs to 41 dual victories, including a school-record 14 in 2023-24. The Citadel won 22 duals against Southern Conference opponents during that span, with the Bulldogs winning six league duals in each of their last two seasons. Additionally, The Citadel won five individual SoCon championships under LeBlanc and Welch, including three in 2025, where the Bulldogs finished second in the conference tournament. That was the team's best finish at the event since 2013-14. The Bulldogs also had eight wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Wrestling Championships during that stretch.

The Citadel built on its momentum with Welch as the Interim Head Coach in 2025-26. The Bulldogs won their first Southern Conference regular season championship since 2004 after going 7-1 against SoCon opponents and 11-7 overall. The Citadel put up three finalists at the 2026 Southern Conference Championship. Thomas Snipes ultimately received an at-large bid for the 2026 NCAA Men's Wrestling Championships, going 2-2 in the tournament at 165 lbs.

Welch also oversaw three wrestlers being named a Division I Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) in 2026. That combines with the 15 Scholar All-Americans The Citadel had under LeBlanc and Welch's watch.

Before joining The Citadel's coaching staff, Welch helped kickstart Mount Olive's wrestling program in 2019. While working as both an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator during the team's inaugural season, Welch helped in mentoring two NCAA Division II national qualifiers and four NWCA Scholar All-Americans.

Welch began his coaching career as an assistant wrestling coach at Castle High School in his hometown of Newburgh, Ind., during the 2018-19 season. In 2019, he helped Will Nunn and Robert Deters reach the podium at the IHSAA state meet with a fourth and sixth-place finish respectively.

Welch achieved success nationally while wrestling at Purdue from 2013-18. In five seasons with the Boilermakers, Welch won 93 matches while competing at 125 and 133 lbs., and qualified for NCAA tournament in 2018, winning three bouts at nationals that year. Welch also won the national championship at the 2017 USA Wrestling University Nationals at 57 kg. He ultimately earned All-America honors twice at that competition (2015, 17). In 2018, Welch was named Purdue's Most Outstanding Wrestler by the team.

"Luke is a hard worker, somebody who was always passionate about the sport and showed he had that coaching mentality during his time here at Purdue," said Purdue Head Coach Tony Ersland. "You've seen him grow each step of the way. We're excited to watch him help elevate the Binghamton program with all the experience he's gained at his various stops in recent years."

For his work in the classroom, Welch was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection (2015, 18). He would earn a bachelor's degree in social studies education, with a minor in history, politics, and human rights. Welch then received a master's degree in nutrition and human performance, with a concentration in sports performance, from Logan University.

Welch joins the Bearcats after they won seven duals in LeBlanc's first season in charge of the program in 2025-26. It was the third season in a row that Binghamton won at least seven duals, making it the first time that the Bearcats have won that many duals in three consecutive seasons since the program accomplished that feat in five straight seasons from 2014-19.