The Triton College Athletic Department has named Chris Butz as the sixth head wrestling coach in program history. The timing for Butz to take over the Trojans wrestling program could not have worked out better as he comes to River Grove after a four-year run as head coach at Morton College, who discontinued their program at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.

"We are pleased to welcome Coach Butz to the Triton College family," said Associate Vice President of Athletics Garrick Abezetian. "He comes in with a wealth of coaching experience at this level and is familiar with the talent in our area which should allow our wrestling team to remain strong."

"I am honored and excited to become the sixth head coach in Triton College wrestling program history," Butz said. "I look forward to continuing the success of the program and recruiting guys that can compete in the classroom and on the national stage."

While at Morton, Butz led the return of men's wrestling along with coaching the Panthers women's wrestling program from its inception. He produced 22 NJCAA National Qualifiers and had his first NJCAA All-American this past season.

Butz comes from a family rich in coaching as his grandfather was one of the founding fathers of spearheading youth sports in his hometown of Bensenville where he still resides, with his wife Cecile and their two children. Butz' father for many years served as a youth, high school and college coach in the area.

With coaching in the family genes, Butz got his first opportunity in 2014 as assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, Fenton High School where he was a three-sport athlete. Butz excelled becoming a two-time state qualifier in wrestling along with being captain of the Bison football team, helping both squads to conference titles.

Butz has made stops at Foreman College and Career Academy in Chicago, where he coached three sports, including being head wrestling coach. He also served as running backs and tight ends coach at North Park University in Chicago, head wresting coach at Eisenhower Junior High School in Darien and from 2018-20, as assistant wresting coach at Westmont High School.

Butz played football at North Park where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in history and education.

After having to compete against Triton during his tenure at Morton, Butz has seen from afar what has made the Triton wresting program one of the best in the NJCAA and believes he is up to the challenge of maintaining that standard of success.

"The key to bringing in these top-tier athletes is not only showing off the amazing opportunities and facilities here at Triton College but building a rapport with these athletes and showing them that I have their back in all their athletic, academic and personal pursuits."