COLORADO SPRINGS – Legendary Air Force head wrestling coach Wayne Baughman passed away the evening of February 16, at home surrounded by his family. He was 81 years old.
 
A distinguished member of the national wrestling hall of fame, Coach Baughman was born and raised in Oklahoma and wrestled collegiately at the University of Oklahoma where he won a national championship. 
 
After college, Coach Baughman put together one of the finest international wrestling careers in United States history.  He won five national championships in Freestyle, nine in Greco, and one in Sambo. He captured gold at the 1967 Pan American Games and was a member of three Olympic teams. He is the only American wrestler to have won a national championship in all four recognized styles.
 
Baughman’s athletic accolades may only be shadowed by his remarkable coaching career.  Coach Baughman led the USA as head coach on five world championship teams and was the head coach of the 1976 US Olympic Freestyle team. 
 
As a former Air Force officer himself, Coach Baughman was instrumental in keeping Air Force active in wrestling. Baughman served two stints as head coach of the Falcons, from 1974-84 and 1988-2006. He produced a record of 183-134-4 in 27 seasons and led the Falcons to the 1991 WAC championship. Baughman coached 16 individual WAC champions and seven Western Regional champions while earning Colorado collegiate coach of the year honors five times. Baughman coached four NCAA All-Americans and a National Finalist while at the Academy.
 
“Coach Baughman is such an important figure in our program and in the sport of wrestling. We are so grateful for the time we got to spend with him,” head wrestling coach Sam Barber said. “He lived an incredibly full life, and he touched so many people’s life in such an extraordinary way. The impact he had on the program has elevated us to where we are today, not only did he lay the foundation, but he led a path of excellence that every Cadet Athlete can aspire to follow. He will be missed but never forgotten, his legacy will live on in perpetuity every time an Air Force Wrestler steps on the mat.”
 
Vice athletic director Colonel Thad Allen adds, “Coach Baughman has been a lifelong mentor to so many wrestlers.  I can honestly say, of all the people at the Academy, he had the largest impact on me during my time there and since.  He’s a stalwart friend, mentor and coach.”
 
“As a 19-year-old student athlete it was difficult to understand the championship, no holds barred toughness of a man like Wayne Baughman,” said Matt Ciccarello, a former athlete and assistant coach. “As a 52-year-old man, I constantly reflect and am thankful for the impact that Coach and Betty have had on me throughout my life.  We were and are better officers, husbands, fathers and men because of the influence of Coach and Betty!”
 
Coach Baughman’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 12 at Crossroads Chapel, 840 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. The service will commence at 1:30 p.m. MT. At the request of the Baughman family, in lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a gift to the Wayne Baughman Wrestling Program Endowment. For more information, please visit https://www.afacademyfoundation.org/.