With nearly two decades of time invested into Virginia Tech Wrestling, Tony Robie is entering into his 6th full year as the Head Coach of the Hokies. While his past few years have been tremendously successful his legacy of success stretches far beyond his time spent in Blacksburg. 

A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Tony Robie traveled just a few minutes south to start his collegiate career at former wrestling powerhouse, Edinboro University. Robie flourished as a multiple time team captain under Head Coach and legendary Olympic Champion, Bruce Baumgartner. Robie was a 2X All-American at 158lbs and was a NCAA Finalist in ‘97. Before exiting his competitive career as an athlete Robie also won a bronze medal at the ‘98 U.S. Open, 

Post collegiately, Robie started his formal coaching career at West Virginia (98’-99’) but then had went back to coach at his alma mater (99-00). After just a year with Edinboro Robie was named assistant coach at the University of Michigan (00-04) where he spent 4 years and aided in establishing Michigan as a consistent top-10 team nationally. In addition to the team success at Michigan he played an integral role in Ryan Bertin’s National Title at the 2003 NCAA Tournament.

After a successful four years for the Wolverines Robie looked to continue climbing up the coaching ladder and was named head coach at Binghamton University (04’-05’). Sadly, this opportunity was thwarted due to the Bearcat program being cut.. However, this eventually lead to Robie’s arrival in Blacksburg in 06’ where he was brought on staff as associate head coach.

Tony Robie spent 11 seasons as the associate head coach under now Iowa Sate head coach, Kevin Dresser.. His time as associate head coach was put to good use as he played a pivotal role in brining the name Virginia Tech out of obscurity and into the spotlight as a consistent wrestling powerhouse. This time period included 6 ACC Titles, five NCAA Championship top ten finishes, and a team trophy for 4th place in ‘16. Along the way he produced 17 ACC champions and 14 All-Americans..

Taking over as interim head coach for the remainder of the ‘16-’17 season Robie got his feet wet by winning another ACC Tournament Championship as well as a 6th Place team finish at the NCAA tournament.

On March 21st, 2017 Robie was officially promoted to head wrestling coach at Virginia Tech and there was no slowing in the continuation of excellence thereafter. In ‘18 he led the Hokies to another ACC Tournament Championship and produced three All-Americans including the second finals appearance ever by a Hokie in Jared Haught (197).

The ‘18-’19 season ushered in more history for the Hokies under Robie’s tutelage with Mekhi Lewis (165) winning the program’s first ever National Championship. This was coupled with a two other All-Americans.

Though ‘19-’20 season was cut short due to the cancellation of the NCAA tournament it was still a year of sustained success. Robie had secured the No. 2 ranked recruiting class in the country for the following year and guided Hunter Bolen (184) to his first ACC Championship. David McFadden (165) was also set to become the first ever 4X All-American for the Hokies.

During the ‘20-’21 season Robie directed Virginia Tech wrestling to its first undefeated season in almost 40 years. The team won its fourth ACC Dual Meet Title along with having three All-Americans..

Alongside his success as Head Coach of Virginia Tech Wrestling, Robie also leads the South East Regional Training Center as their Executive Director. As a founder of the SERTC in 2017 he has overseen its progress from infancy to highly functioning non-profit organization.

His role as executive director encompasses everything from orchestrating fundraising campaigns to coaching in the corner for athletes at various freestyle events.

In its short history the SERTC has given tremendous opportunities to further expand upon the successes of our athletes. Under the leadership of Coach Robie the SERTC has produced 5 U.S. World Team Members (Walz ‘17 U23, Lewis ‘18 Jr., McFadden ‘18 U23, Andonian ‘21 Jr., Green ‘21 Sr.). In the summer of ‘18 the SERTC also proudly yielded its first Junior World Champion in Mekhi Lewis. (74kg)

The history of the SERTC is short but the trail of success following Tony Robie’s nearly quarter century of coaching is indicative of a bright future.