Sam Braswell was promoted to head coach of the Averett University men’s wrestling program in July 2025 after serving as an assistant coach for three seasons following a storied career as an All-American with the Cougars.
Braswell, who has been affiliated with Averett wrestling since it began in 2018, became the Cougars’ third head coach for the storied program which has produced 10 All-America selections, 20 NCAA national qualifiers and five region champions in only eight seasons of existence.
“Sam Braswell has been an integral part of our wrestling program, first as a student-athlete and then as an assistant coach,” Director of Athletics Danny Miller said. “His passion, knowledge and experience not only provides continuity within our program, but also a vision for the continued success and growth of Averett wrestling.”
Braswell had an illustrious collegiate wrestling career at Averett from 2018-2022. A three-time NCAA Division III national qualifier and three-time NWCA All-American, Braswell finished his career at Averett as the program’s leader in wins after going 150-28, including a program single-season record for 42 wins in 2021-22. During his final campaign, Braswell won 39 consecutive matches to start the season and finished fourth nationally while winning the NCAA Southeast Region title at 125 pounds for the second time in his career. Braswell won the 2022 Southeast Wrestling Conference Tournament championship at 125, was named Outstanding Wrestler at multiple tournaments and was d3wrestle.com’s Wrestler of the Week this season. Throughout his career, Braswell was a four-time region placer and earned numerous tournament accolades throughout his time at Averett, including twice being named Outstanding Wrestler at the Virginia Duals. Braswell became the first wrestler in program history to be ranked No. 1 in the country when he did so two years in a row by d3wrestle.com and Intermat. Outside of Averett, Braswell was a five-time U23 World Team Trials Greco-Roman All-American and 2022 U23 World Team Trials Greco-Roman finalist. Prior to Averett, Braswell was a Virginia state champion at Matoaca High School and an NHSCA All-American.
As an assistant coach for Averett since July 2022, Braswell mentored three-time All-American Mason Barrett, who moved into the starting lineup at 125 pounds following the Braswell’s graduation. With Braswell on Averett’s coaching staff, the Cougars produced 11 national qualifiers in three seasons — including a program-record six in 2024 — along with 20 regional placers, nine conference champions, 24 all-conference wrestlers and numerous other honors. Braswell’s coaching experience also includes working numerous camps, clinics and private instruction, as well as serving on the coaching staff of Team Virginia’s USA Wrestling Junior National Dual Team again this summer. He’s coached two junior dual all-tournament team wrestlers and two 2025 Fargo All-Americans.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity presented to me by Averett to be the head coach,” Braswell said. “This is something I’ve thought about since the inaugural season of the program when I was a freshman. I am ready to raise the ceiling of the program through discipline, dedication and development. I’m blessed and ready to get to work.”
Originally from Daytona Beach, Florida, Braswell completed his bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from Averett in December 2021 and completed his master’s degree in business administration from Averett in 2024.
