Syracuse Remembers Coaching Icon Ed Carlin
11/1/2023 6:25:00 PM | Wrestling
Ed Carlin, longest-tenured SU wrestling coach in history and four-time wrestling letter winner, has passed on October 31, 2023. He boasted 279 victories in his coaching career, more than half of SU's all-time total. Carlin wrestled at Bainbridge High School alongside his brother, Bob, before enrolling at Syracuse where he was a 1958 team captain, Carlin earned the Davidson Award for Outstanding Wrestler in 1957 and 1958. After graduation, Carlin taught physical education for three years while serving as the SU freshman team wrestling coach. His 1960 freshman team went undefeated and won the Eastern Championships title.
"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Ed Carlin, a legend in the wrestling community," said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. "His contributions to the Syracuse program as a student-athlete and coach, and to the sport of wrestling are extensive. Ed, who has rightfully been recognized by many, including a Syracuse University LetterWinner of Distinction and in multiple Halls of Fame and community organizations, will be Forever Orange."
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Carlin was promoted to head coach for the 1963 season and went on to lead the Orange for the next 34 years until 1997. During his time at the helm, he mentored two Olympians, Gene Mills and Chris Catalfo, four wrestlers who won a total of six NCAA titles, 22 All-Americans, 42 individual Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) champions and guided the Orange to five EIWA team championships.
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Honors and accolades were commonplace throughout Carlin's career. In 1983, Carlin was inducted into the New York State Coaches Hall of Fame. A two-time EIWA Coach of the Year (1988 and 1989), Carlin was inducted into the EIWA Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005. He was recognized as a Syracuse University LetterWinner of Distinction in 1991 and earned the National Wrestling Coaches Association 25-Year Service Award in 1994. In 2021, Carlin was enshrined in the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.
Carlin is survived by his wife, Patricia, his three daughters and one son, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Ed Carlin, a legend in the wrestling community," said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. "His contributions to the Syracuse program as a student-athlete and coach, and to the sport of wrestling are extensive. Ed, who has rightfully been recognized by many, including a Syracuse University LetterWinner of Distinction and in multiple Halls of Fame and community organizations, will be Forever Orange."
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Carlin was promoted to head coach for the 1963 season and went on to lead the Orange for the next 34 years until 1997. During his time at the helm, he mentored two Olympians, Gene Mills and Chris Catalfo, four wrestlers who won a total of six NCAA titles, 22 All-Americans, 42 individual Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) champions and guided the Orange to five EIWA team championships.
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Honors and accolades were commonplace throughout Carlin's career. In 1983, Carlin was inducted into the New York State Coaches Hall of Fame. A two-time EIWA Coach of the Year (1988 and 1989), Carlin was inducted into the EIWA Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005. He was recognized as a Syracuse University LetterWinner of Distinction in 1991 and earned the National Wrestling Coaches Association 25-Year Service Award in 1994. In 2021, Carlin was enshrined in the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.
Carlin is survived by his wife, Patricia, his three daughters and one son, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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