Central Michigan University Athletics
Legendary CMU coach Tom Borrelli (right) chats with Scotti Sentes during Sentes' days as a Chippewa wrestler.
The Borrelli Coaching Tree
4/1/2020 1:11:00β―PM | Wrestling
Former CMU standout Scotti Sentes is yet another in a long line of Tom Borrelli protΓ©gΓ©s to make it big in the coaching world
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. β Tom Borrelli was not lying.
Β
The Central Michigan wrestling coach, with a well-earned reputation as a straight talker, was recruiting Scotti Sentes out of Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Fla. in the late 2000s. Sentes, raised in the Sunshine State and the son of Michigan natives, knew that mid-Michigan weather was less hospitable than that of Fort Myers, at least for a good portion of the year.
Β
"He said, 'It's always warm in the wrestling room,'" Sentes said of Borrelli's weather-related portion of the recruiting pitch. "He got me there."
Β
Selling a Florida kid on the Midwest? Borrelli had fought, and continues to fight, out of the underdog corner as he approaches three decades at CMU. He has continually come out on top, posting 337 dual-meet victories and making CMU wrestling the Mid-American Conference torch bearer as the program has taken a place on the big stage with the blue-blood names in college wrestling.
Β
Sentes went on to become one of the Chippewa greats, twice earning All-America honors and twice winning Mid-American Conference titles. Shortly after graduating in 2013, Sentes joined another burgeoning list, that of Borrelli protégés in the coaching ranks.
Β
After six years as an assistant, first at Cal Poly and then at Campbell, Sentes was named last week as the head coach at Campbell, located in Buies Creek, N.C.
Β
He is among the dozens of former CMU wrestlers now coaching in the collegiate and high school ranks. Former Chippewas hold head-coaching or assistant posts at the likes of Stanford, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State, to name a few. Borrelli's two assistants, Ben Bennett and Ryan Cubberly, are former Chippewa wrestlers.
Β
Among the high-profile of myriad former CMU wrestlers now heading up prep programs is Mitch Hancock, who in March led Detroit Catholic Central to its eighth state team title since 2010.
Β
"College athletics is supposed to be about producing contributors to society; that's what we're supposed to be doing," said Borrelli, who recently completed his 29th season in charge of the CMU program, capping the year with a runner-up finish β and three individual champions β at the Mid-American Conference Championships and his 14th league coach of the year award. "Anytime they go out and have a career you take pride in that."
Β
The number of those who were coached by Borrelli who have followed their mentor into the profession is, by any measure, remarkably high.
Β
"The common denominator is that they're really caught up in the sport," Borrelli said of his former wrestlers turned coaches. "It's a big part of them, a huge part of them. Because of that they've paid attention. They just feel like they have a lot to offer."
Β
And Borrelli has plenty to offer them. While the Chippewas have welcomed their share of nationally established teenage hotshots during Borrelli's three decades in charge of the program, more often it has been the under-the-radar types, those who are higher on potential than on pedigree, who have formed the backbone of his program.
Β
The program becomes an incubator β "It's always warm in the wrestling room" β for a sport whose heartbeat is generational transference.
Β
"When you meet Tom, he's himself," Sentes said. "He lets his record and his accolades do the talking for him. With Tom you could tell, he was going to give you what the honest answer was. He's very calm and collected. He doesn't get upset at you for losing.
Β
"People think a lot of Tom. What he's done at Central and how competitive they've been for so long. It speaks volumes for him."
Β
Despite the fact that they are now shoulder-to-shoulder peers β Borrelli at CMU, Sentes at Campbell β the latter said he is still not comfortable referring to 'coach Borrelli' by his first name. It's something that he, like so many who have come before him, will have to become accustomed to.
Β
"All throughout my career Tom has been a sounding board for me," Sentes said. "I still call him coach Borrelli. He's the guy who I would call and he would lead me in the right direction. I've met a lot of people in my life, but I always find myself going back to coach Borrelli. He's been around so long and there's really nothing he hasn't seen."
Β
Because of the nature of a wrestling tournament, particularly the NCAA Championships, Sentes and Borrelli will inevitably sit in opposite corners of the mat as two of their respective wrestlers square off.
Β
It's a situation that Borrelli has faced countless times in his career, both in tournaments and in dual meets. In the 2019-20 season alone, four times the Chippewas faced a dual opponent that featured a former Chippewa wrestler on its coaching staff.
Β
"It's a tough situation to be honest with you," Borrelli said of going head to head with his former wrestlers. "You know how they're working to beat you. It gives you a little bit of pride to know that their goal is to be better than our program."
Β
Β
The Central Michigan wrestling coach, with a well-earned reputation as a straight talker, was recruiting Scotti Sentes out of Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Fla. in the late 2000s. Sentes, raised in the Sunshine State and the son of Michigan natives, knew that mid-Michigan weather was less hospitable than that of Fort Myers, at least for a good portion of the year.
Β
"He said, 'It's always warm in the wrestling room,'" Sentes said of Borrelli's weather-related portion of the recruiting pitch. "He got me there."
Β
Selling a Florida kid on the Midwest? Borrelli had fought, and continues to fight, out of the underdog corner as he approaches three decades at CMU. He has continually come out on top, posting 337 dual-meet victories and making CMU wrestling the Mid-American Conference torch bearer as the program has taken a place on the big stage with the blue-blood names in college wrestling.
Β
Sentes went on to become one of the Chippewa greats, twice earning All-America honors and twice winning Mid-American Conference titles. Shortly after graduating in 2013, Sentes joined another burgeoning list, that of Borrelli protégés in the coaching ranks.
Β
After six years as an assistant, first at Cal Poly and then at Campbell, Sentes was named last week as the head coach at Campbell, located in Buies Creek, N.C.
Β
He is among the dozens of former CMU wrestlers now coaching in the collegiate and high school ranks. Former Chippewas hold head-coaching or assistant posts at the likes of Stanford, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State, to name a few. Borrelli's two assistants, Ben Bennett and Ryan Cubberly, are former Chippewa wrestlers.
Β
Among the high-profile of myriad former CMU wrestlers now heading up prep programs is Mitch Hancock, who in March led Detroit Catholic Central to its eighth state team title since 2010.
Β
"College athletics is supposed to be about producing contributors to society; that's what we're supposed to be doing," said Borrelli, who recently completed his 29th season in charge of the CMU program, capping the year with a runner-up finish β and three individual champions β at the Mid-American Conference Championships and his 14th league coach of the year award. "Anytime they go out and have a career you take pride in that."
Β
The number of those who were coached by Borrelli who have followed their mentor into the profession is, by any measure, remarkably high.
Β
"The common denominator is that they're really caught up in the sport," Borrelli said of his former wrestlers turned coaches. "It's a big part of them, a huge part of them. Because of that they've paid attention. They just feel like they have a lot to offer."
Β
And Borrelli has plenty to offer them. While the Chippewas have welcomed their share of nationally established teenage hotshots during Borrelli's three decades in charge of the program, more often it has been the under-the-radar types, those who are higher on potential than on pedigree, who have formed the backbone of his program.
Β
The program becomes an incubator β "It's always warm in the wrestling room" β for a sport whose heartbeat is generational transference.
Β
"When you meet Tom, he's himself," Sentes said. "He lets his record and his accolades do the talking for him. With Tom you could tell, he was going to give you what the honest answer was. He's very calm and collected. He doesn't get upset at you for losing.
Β
"People think a lot of Tom. What he's done at Central and how competitive they've been for so long. It speaks volumes for him."
Β
Despite the fact that they are now shoulder-to-shoulder peers β Borrelli at CMU, Sentes at Campbell β the latter said he is still not comfortable referring to 'coach Borrelli' by his first name. It's something that he, like so many who have come before him, will have to become accustomed to.
Β
"All throughout my career Tom has been a sounding board for me," Sentes said. "I still call him coach Borrelli. He's the guy who I would call and he would lead me in the right direction. I've met a lot of people in my life, but I always find myself going back to coach Borrelli. He's been around so long and there's really nothing he hasn't seen."
Β
Because of the nature of a wrestling tournament, particularly the NCAA Championships, Sentes and Borrelli will inevitably sit in opposite corners of the mat as two of their respective wrestlers square off.
Β
It's a situation that Borrelli has faced countless times in his career, both in tournaments and in dual meets. In the 2019-20 season alone, four times the Chippewas faced a dual opponent that featured a former Chippewa wrestler on its coaching staff.
Β
"It's a tough situation to be honest with you," Borrelli said of going head to head with his former wrestlers. "You know how they're working to beat you. It gives you a little bit of pride to know that their goal is to be better than our program."
Β
Saturday, March 07
Saturday, March 07
Wednesday, March 04
Thursday, January 08