The Janesville Consolidated School District (JCSD) is buzzing with excitement as it welcomes its new Head Boys’ Wrestling Coach, Brett Robbins.
The announcement came straight from Brett himself in a heartfelt post on the Janesville Wildcat Club Facebook group, where he shared his enthusiasm for leading the wrestling program and introduced his family to the community.
With a rich wrestling background, deep ties to the Cedar Valley, and a passion for building the sport, Brett is ready to take the Wildcats to new heights.
Brett Robbins wrote-:
I am fired up for the opportunity to lead this program!”
Via Facebook
Brett’s connection to Janesville runs deep.
His wife, Holli, has been a dedicated educator at JCSD for over a decade, currently serving as a preschool teacher since August 2024.
Before that, she taught pre-kindergarten at Brigham Early Learning and served as a kindergarten teacher at JCSD.
The couple, married since July 16, 2016, has two young children, Nora, a second-grader, and Jack, who just started preschool at JCSD.
“We love Janesville and are happy to be all in one place,” Brett shared in his post, emphasizing how thrilled the family is to be back in the Cedar Valley after a brief stint in Illinois.
A Native of Bloomington, Illinois, Brett Earned All-State Honors in Wrestling at Bloomington HS in 2005
He went on to compete at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), graduating in 2010 with a degree in history.
His wrestling accolades include placing eighth at the 2013 U.S. Open and being named the FILA Junior Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Month.
Brett also secured a spot on the FILA Junior World Team, showcasing his talent on a national stage.
After his competitive career, he transitioned into coaching, spending nearly 20 years at UNI in various roles, including as a volunteer coach for the Panther Wrestling program during the 2016-17 season.
In 2023, Brett took on a challenge as the Head Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Coach at Illinois Wesleyan University, starting April 5, 2023.
There, he made history by rebuilding the men’s wrestling program after a nearly 40-year hiatus and introducing women’s wrestling to the campus.
His leadership transformed the Titans’ wrestling programs, proving his ability to build and grow teams from the ground up.
However, the pull of the Cedar Valley brought the Robbins family back to Janesville, where Brett briefly assisted with the Panther Wrestling Club last year before stepping into his new role with the Wildcats.
“This thing takes a village, and we will go further and farther together!”
Via Facebook
Currently, Brett is teaching physical education alongside Mrs. Norton, whom he described as a “rockstar” in his Facebook post.
He’s grateful for the warm welcome from the JCSD administration, the Wildcat Club board, coaches, parents, and students.
The community’s support has energized him to ensure all the wrestling program’s needs are met.
One exciting development is the nearly completed wrestling room, a dedicated space that Brett believes will be a game-changer for the team.
“We can’t wait to have a dedicated space just for wrestling,” he wrote, highlighting his vision for growing the sport in Janesville.
Brett’s coaching philosophy centers on community and collaboration.
He’s eager to meet everyone involved in the program and invites questions or outreach from the Wildcat community.
His experience, from competing at high levels to rebuilding programs, positions him to lead with passion and expertise.
The new wrestling room, combined with Brett’s dedication, signals a bright future for the Janesville Wildcats.
As the wrestling season approaches, Brett is ready to inspire and guide the young athletes of Janesville.
With his family rooted in the community and his extensive coaching experience, he’s poised to make a lasting impact.
The Wildcats have a leader who’s not only “fired up” but also deeply committed to their success.
Here’s to a winning season for the Janesville Wildcats under their new head coach, Brett Robbins!
