Hagerty Named Director of Wrestling Operations
7/1/2022 11:13:00 AM | Wrestling
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Keenan Hagerty, the former men's and women's wrestling coach at William Jewell College, has joined the University of Missouri staff as director of operations, Head Coach Brian Smith announced.
Hagerty joins the Tigers program after serving as both the men's and women's wrestling head coach at William Jewell. Hagerty joined Jewell in Aug. 2020 and was tasked with starting a women's program while revitalizing the men's program after a 27-year hiatus.
"I am excited to announce Keenan Hagerty will be joining our program as the new Director of Operations," Smith said. "Keenan grew up in Missouri, learning to wrestle while competing and coaching. Having to manage many responsibilities at William Jewell as the men's and women's head coach has prepared him for his position here as the director of operations and his background will add to our success on and off the mat. Please welcome him to the Tiger Style family!"
During Hagerty's head coaching stint, he showed his mettle as a recruiter, bringing over 30 new student-athletes into the wrestling programs. Hagerty led the women's program its first-ever national ranking of No. 15 while Emalie Olson earned the first individual national ranking at No. 8 in the 116-pound class. Five student-athletes from the women's program advanced to the NCWWC National Championships and freshman Sarina Bertram was tabbed as the William Jewell Women's Newcomer of the Year honors.
"I am extremely excited to join Coach Smith and the rest of the Tiger Style wrestling staff," Hagerty said. "Mizzou Wrestling is one of the most respected NCAA Division I programs in the nation. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute in any way possible. Although it was a very tough decision to leave the program we were building at William Jewell. I am confident that this program is in great hands with the leadership and commitment of both the College and athletic department at Jewell. The position as director of operations at Mizzou provides a unique opportunity for me to assist with a program that has the vision of a national championship."
Prior to his stint with the Cardinals, Hagerty spent four years as the top assistant at Maryville University. During that time, he has helped Maryville to 19 All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selections, 15 NCAA-II national qualifiers, seven All-Americans and one national champion.
Hagerty spent his own collegiate career at Maryville and his list of accomplishments is long. He compiled a career record of 125-28, was a four-time national qualifier and three time All-American. He opened his career in 2012 with a 33-7 mark and finished as the national runner-up at 149. Following that season, he was named the Maryville University Male Athlete of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Throughout his career he set school records for wins in a season (42) and career (125), was a three-time Super Regional finalist, winning the title in 2013 and a NWCA All-Academic selection.
Although, he competed collegiately across the state, Hagerty's wrestling roots run deep in Kansas City. He attended Blue Springs High School where he won a state championship under his father, Mike, a 2016 inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Hagerty earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Maryville in 2016.
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