Father of Penn State Wrestling Legend Expected to be Hired at State College High

Penn State fans know the Nickal name mainly because of Bo Nickal, who won three national titles and the 2019 Hodge Trophy (wrestling’s Heisman) at PSU. After college, Bo Nickal embarked on an MMA career, which has led him to his current status as a rising UFC star.

But what about Jason Nickal?

Jason Nickal played college football at Chardon State before embarking on a coaching career in wrestling. From there, he went onto coach the sport for more than a quarter century, serving as Bo’s coach until he got to Penn State, where Cael Sanderson took over.

Nickal led his teams to 10 state titles and coached more than 55 individual champions. He won 11 Coach of the Year awards, including National Wrestling Coaches Association State Coach of the Year twice.

For his work at Rio Rancho (New Mexico)— where Bo started his high school before the family moved to Allen, Texas— Jason Nickal is in the school’s Hall of Fame.

Now, barring something unforeseen, he’ll be taking over a State College program located in the backyard of what many feel is the capital of wrestling. State High’s 2024-25 teams is set to be led by Asher Cunningham, son of Penn State’s head assistant coach, Casey Cunningham.