Nielsen named new Oconto Falls wrestling coach

OCONTO FALLS — The Oconto Falls High School wrestling team will be under the direction of a new head coach for the 2020-21 season, but it’s certainly a familiar face. Cody Nielsen will be the new head coach after David Brasier stepped down.

Nielsen wrestled for Oconto Falls from 2009-12 and, after wrestling at UW-Stevens Point from 2014-17, served as an assistant coach for the Panthers the past two season.

“I have great pride in having the opportunity to coach for the same program I was fortunate enough to wrestle for growing up,” said Nielsen, a 2011 state champion. “I plan to continue the success here at Oconto Falls by building a program around accountability and perseverance.

“I have been around the sport of wrestling for 22 years, and it has been a great platform to teach life lessons. Accountability and perseverance are two traits that will become useful far after each athlete steps off the mat for the final time.”

Nielsen won’t make any sweeping changes to the wrestling program, instead trying to continue its tradition of success.

“I am excited to work closely with our entire wrestling program, families and fans, to continue the success and give each student athlete the same opportunities I am forever grateful for having while being part of the Oconto Falls wrestling program,” said Nielsen.

“I am excited that Cody will be able to bridge the success we had in the past to lead us into the future,” said Jerry Moynihan, the athletic director at Oconto Falls. “I feel he will be a great teacher of wrestling and continue our tradition of individual state champions and team success. Cody is very organized and willing to spend the time needed to run a successful program.”

Nielsen will get some help from Cullan Morrissey, another former Panther wrestler, who qualified for state four times while in high school, placing second on three occasions and taking third in the other year. Morrissey went on to wrestle at St. Cloud State University (Minnesota).

Nielsen wrestled with Morrissey for two years in high school and considers him a good friend.

The past two years, Nielsen has gotten to learn more from Brasier, who coached Nielsen over his 30-year run on the high school’s wrestling staff. Brasier was an assistant from 1990-95 before serving as a co- or tri-coach until this past season, when he was the lone head coach.

It wasn’t an easy decision for Brasier to step down, but he was able to do so because of the individuals who are taking the reins.

“There are a variety of factors that allowed me to be comfortable in stepping away,” said Brasier. “First, I am very passionate about OF Panther wrestling. I am not burned out or feel I have no energy for coaching anymore. The right scenario had to present itself for me to step away.

“Most importantly, I have faith and confidence in the group of young men who became available to take over the program. They are OF graduates and former wrestlers, but they have also gone on to continue their wrestling expertise beyond high school, and now they have the opportunity to bring that back to their own program. To some degree, I am getting out of their way to allow the program to continue to develop.”

Brasier called the individual and team success “an awesome experience,” crediting the wrestling program as a whole. He’s also appreciative of the friendships and memories he’s made and had over the past three decades.

While Brasier didn’t have any plans to rejoin the staff in the future, he did say “I will never be far away from the program.”

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