Missouri - Smith names Askren as assistant

Columbia, Mo. -- Missouri wrestling Head Coach Brian Smith has named Lee Pritts and Shawn Charles as assistant coaches while Ben Askren will serve as the Tigers' volunteer assistant for the upcoming 2007-08 campaign.

"I lost two very experienced assistant coaches in Bart Horton and Pat McNamara," Smith said. "But, I know that I'm replacing them with three individuals that are as equally talented and up to the challenge of coaching this team to its first National title."

Pritts, a former Missouri assistant coach from 1998 through 2004, will fill the roll as assistant in charge of the Tigers' lighter weight classes. A native of Davie, Fla., Pritts left Missouri following the 2003-04 campaign to serve as head assistant at Old Dominion. Over the course of two years, Pritts helped guide the Monarchs to back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) runner-up finishes with three individuals, a program tying record last set in 1995, qualifying each year for the NCAA Championships. In addition, Pritts helped build two top-10 recruiting classes. As a college wrestler at Eastern Michigan Pritts made three NCAA appearances, earning All-America honors at 118 pounds in 1996.

"Lee is one of the hardest working assistant coaches in the country," Smith said. "It's nice to have him back on staff. He's a very motivated and driven person and that meshes well with the team's desire to win."

Familiar with Big 12 wrestling, Charles enters his first year at Missouri with 13 years of coaching experience to his name. Among the schools he has coached at, Charles served four seasons as top assistant at the University of Nebraska from 2001 through 2005. During his time in Lincoln, Neb., the Cornhuskers were ranked as high as third in the nation and finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships twice. Upon leaving Nebraska, Charles served as head coach at Fresno State, coaching the Bulldogs to a third-place finish in the NCAA Western Regional before the program was cut in 2006. Last season, Charles was an assistant coach at Brown University. In college, Charles wrestled for Arizona State, becoming the school's first four-time All-American while competing at 126 pounds.

"Shawn has gained a lot of valuable coaching experience over the past few years," Smith said. "His work at Nebraska combined with his head coaching experience at Fresno State and freestyle experience with SunKist Kids will help take this program to the next level."

Recent ESPY nominee Askren will enter his first year as a volunteer assistant coach this coming fall. Missouri's first four-time wrestling All-American and two-time National Champion, Askren is the recipient of two Dan Hodge Trophies and Wade Schalles awards. Missouri's record holder for career falls (91) and season falls (29), Askren also owns Missouri's record for most consecutive wins at 87 and career wins at 131. While serving on the Tiger coaching staff, Askren will continue to prepare for his run at the 2008 Olympics.

"Ben has a lot of youthful energy," Smith said. "He wants to continue to learn not only on the mat, but how to be a better coach. His experiences, combined with those of Lee and Shawn are sure to make for a winning combination."