MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State men's wrestling program is moving forward under the guidance of a two-time NAIA All-American competitor who has spent the past six years working as a wrestling coach here in North Dakota.

Minot State's Vice President for Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics, Kevin Harmon, is pleased to introduce Gresh Jones as the new men's wrestling coach for the Beavers. Jones begins his duties on April 15.

"We are thrilled to welcome Gresh Jones as the next head men's wrestling coach at Minot State University," Harmon said. "Gresh brings an unmatched energy and passion for the sport that will immediately elevate our program. His highly energized intensity and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the direction we are heading as an athletic department."

"It's truly an honor to be named the head men's wrestling coach at Minot State University," said Jones, who spent the last two seasons as the head coach for NSIC newcomer Jamestown. "This is a place where my wife and I want to settle down and raise our family. I've always wanted to coach college wrestling close to home, and with the connections and familiarity we have with Minot, it really feels like the perfect fit.

"I was drawn to Minot because of the opportunity within the wrestling program and the community," Jones added. "There's a strong wrestling tradition, great support from the local wrestling community, and a lot of potential to grow the program." 

A Montana product, Jones spent the last decade competing and coaching in North Dakota.

"Gresh's strong ties to the region make him an ideal fit for Minot State," Harmon said. "He understands the landscape, the talent base, and the pride that comes with competing in the most competitive NCAA Division II region in the country. Those connections will be instrumental as he builds a championship-caliber roster and strengthens our presence across the region.

"Beyond his coaching ability, Gresh is a leader who will positively impact our student-athletes both on and off the mat," Harmon added. "We are confident he will foster a culture of discipline, accountability, and success. We are excited for the future of Beaver wrestling under his leadership."

Jones took over the Jimmies program in its first year of transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II competition in September of 2024. Jamestown finished 7th in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) that season.

This past winter, the Jimmies won the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Northwest Conference title and finished 6th at the NCWA National Championships, led by national placers Isaac Ronquillo (125 pounds) and Elijah Nose (133), who both finished 3rd, Rocker Aguilar (165), who was 6th, and Colton Schaad (174), who was 8th.

"My primary focus will be building strong relationships with the current athletes on the team," Jones said of his first steps as head coach for the Beavers. "At the same time, we'll be looking to bring in recruits who can contribute both to the wrestling program and the community. We want to establish habits on and off the mat that create a winning culture right away, and most importantly, make sure our guys are enjoying the process in a tough sport like wrestling.

"Our philosophy is centered around hard-working individuals who fight for each other, love the grind, and do the right things on and off the mat," Minot State's newest coach added. "We set high standards and expectations, and we prioritize training and daily habits that help our athletes grow not just as wrestlers, but as people."

Prior to taking over leadership of Jamestown's program, Jones spent 3 seasons as the head wrestling coach at Williston High School, leading the Coyotes to a 3^rd-place finish at the team state tournament in 2023, and to 3^rd-place (2024) and 4^th-place (2023) finishes at the state dual tournament. He twice was named Western Dakota Association (WDA) Coach of the Year, and named North Dakota High School Coach of the Year in 2023.

Jones began his coaching career at his alma mater, Dickinson State University, as an assistant coach for the Blue Hawks men's wrestling team for the 2020-21 season.

He earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 2020, with a minor in coaching, and his Master's in Sports Administration-Athletic Leadership in 2023 from Dickinson State, where Jones competed for four years on the mats. He earned NAIA All-American honors in 2018, finishing 4^th at nationals, and again in 2019, finishing 3^rd. Jones was named Dickinson State's Outstanding Male Athlete in 2021 and an NAIA Champions of Character Award Winner in 2021.

Looking toward the future of Beaver wrestling, Jones said: "My vision for Minot State is to be a top-five NSIC team year in and year out. I'm a big-picture thinker, and I see a lot of opportunities within the people, the community, the youth programs, and the history of Minot. I truly believe we can build this into a powerhouse program in the NSIC."