LEXINGTON, Va. -- The interim tag is off for Chris Skretkowicz. After spending the 2013-14 season as the interim head coach for the Virginia Military Institute wrestling team, athletic director Dr. Dave Diles has promoted Skretkowicz as the newest head coach for the program.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to guide the VMI wrestling program into the future, said Skretkowicz. “As countless great coaches have done before me, I look forward to developing young men to become successful wrestlers as well as leaders in all walks of life. I would like to thank Dr. Diles, General Peay, and the Institute for this opportunity.”

Skretkowicz becomes the 15th head coach since the program earned varsity status in 1921.

“I'm very pleased to appoint Chris as our permanent head coach. He has an exceptional competitive background, a proven track record as an assistant coach, and he demonstrated excellent leadership during his interim tenure,” said Dr. Diles. “In addition, Chris' values and integrity make him a great match for VMI. The team responded very well to his coaching style and I'm looking forward to working with him to advance our wrestling program.”

Skretkowicz concluded his eighth season on Post as a coach, spending his first seven years in Lexington as an assistant. This past season, he served as the interim head coach, stepping in for John “Rocky” Trudgeon, who guided the team for 28 years and logged more than any other coach in program history.

In his season as an interim head coach, Skretkowicz saw red-shirt junior Juan Adams reach the podium at the 2014 Southern Conference Wrestling Championships as the heavyweight finished third overall, just missing a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

During his time on Post, Skretkowicz mentored the program’s most recent Southern Conference champion, Josh Wine, who won the heavyweight title three times at VMI (2008, 2009, 2011).

A 2005 graduate of Hofstra, Skretkowicz earned CAA Tournament Outstanding Wrestler honors as a senior, along with CAA Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman. Among individual tournaments, Skretkowicz was a three-time placewinner at The Midlands, while also capturing the 197 pound championship at the 2004 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.

Skretkowicz brings a prestigious wrestling background to the Institute, placing sixth at the NCAA tournament in 2003 and fifth in 2004. His 140-24 career record was accompanied by a perfect 26-0 mark against CAA opponents in his four years in the league. He qualified for the NCAA Championships each of his four seasons, and continues to help train Keydet wrestlers to do the same.