Having gained valuable experience as both a student-athlete for the UNC Pembroke wrestling program from 2013-15, as well as coach for Spartanburg Methodist in 2019-20, Juan Stimpson returned to Pembroke in 2020-21 as an assistant coach for the Braves.
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After registering more than 200 wins and leaving behind an all-American prep career at Northfield Mt. Hermon High School in his native Gill, Mass., Stimpson competed at NC State in 2009-10 and earned all-America laurels at Rend Lake Junior College in Ina, Ill., before transferring to UNCP prior to the 2013-14 campaign. He capped his junior season with a 13-5 record before turning heads in 2014-15 when he put together a 33-win season, including a super region championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships.
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After a standout career on the mat for the Black & Gold, Stimpson turned his attention to the coaching world and helped the Braves register a banner season in 2017-18 and 2018-19. With Stimpson on staff, the Black & Gold tacked up nearly 20 dual meet victories and a conference title, while also sending a dozen wrestlers to appearances at the NCAA Division II Championships. The span also included a pair of top-25 finishes on the national stage as well.
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Stimpson served as both the wrestling head coach and sports information director at Spartanburg Methodist in 2019-20 before SMC discontinued its program amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Stimpson’s direction, the Pioneers captured the NJCAA Region X championship, as well as finished 32nd at the NJCAA National Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The run on the national stage was fueled by an all-American performance from 149-pounder Robert Escalante.
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Stimpson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from UNCP in 2018.
Updated: July 2021
