The winningest coach in program history with 235 career dual victories “On the Banks”, head coach Scott Goodale has turned Rutgers wrestling into one of the top teams in the country since he took over on July 31, 2007.
 
Since Goodale took over the program 18 years ago, the Scarlet Knights have produced the program's first two individual national champions, six individual conference titles, 19 All-Americans in the past 11 seasons, multiple All-Americans at seven of the last nine NCAA Championships, and since 2009, have earned two top 10 finishes and 13 top 25 finishes in the final NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.
 
During Goodale’s tenure, RU has two individual national titles (Anthony Ashnault and Nick Suriano in 2019), three national finalists, 19 All-Americans, six conference champions (five Big Ten, one EIWA), 109 NCAA Championship qualifiers, 54 Big Ten Conference Championships placewinners and 42 placewinners at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships. The program has tallied an impressive 235-101-1 dual meet record during his 18 years “On the Banks.”
 
Rutgers finished No. 11 in the final 2024-25 NWCA Coaches Poll – its highest final ranking since it closed the 2015-16 campaign No. 10. Seven Scarlet Knights qualified for the 2025 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia, where Dean Peterson (125), Dylan Shawver (133) and Joseph Olivieri (141) all advanced to the ‘Blood Round.’
 
The success of Goodale’s teams has resulted in one of the top home environments in the sport. Competing inside Jersey Mike's Arena, the Scarlet Knights have finished within the top 10 in national attendance over the past nine seasons, which includes a 4,228 average in 2024-25 – good for fifth nationally. Rutgers produced its third sellout in school history when 8,057 fans watched the Scarlet Knights compete against No. 1 Penn State.
 
The wrestling program also trains at one of the top practice facilities in the country – the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center. Opened in 2019, the state-of-the-art facility lives right next to Jersey Mike's Arena and features three regulation practice mats, a 30-person team locker room and offices for coaches and support staff.
 
Success on the recruiting trail has been a hallmark of Goodale's tenure, as his staff signed the No. 4 overall recruiting class in the country during the 2024 cycle, according to Intermat's final rankings. It marks the highest-rated rookie class under Goodale since he and his staff inked the No. 4 overall class in 2007.
 
The Jackson, N.J., native took over the Rutgers program following an impressive seven-year stint as head coach at his alma mater, Jackson Memorial High School. In seven seasons, Goodale compiled an overall record of 155-16, leading his squad to the top ranking in the state in 2006 and 2007.
 
The legendary Jersey high school wrestling coach was inducted into the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame on Nov. 7, 2009.
 
Goodale was named the New Jersey State Coach of the Year three times, while also earning District 21 and Region VI Coach of the Year accolades three times during his tenure with the Jaguars. Goodale coached four New Jersey State Champions and five New Jersey State runner-ups, along with 16 additional state placewinners. In total, he has coached a total of 41 District 21 Champions and 10 Region VI Champions. Goodale led his teams to two Group IV State Championships, as well as four Central Jersey Group IV Sectional titles. Each season Goodale spent with Jackson Memorial, the Jaguars were crowned District 21 Team Champions, as well as winning four Class A-South Shore Conference titles. During the 2005-06 season, the Jaguars finished ranked No. 10 in the country. The following year, Goodale and the Jaguars improved that performance, finishing the year ranked seventh nationally. In every year Goodale was at Jackson Memorial, he led his team to a top-10 finish in the New Jersey wrestling polls.
 
Prior to being named head coach at Jackson Memorial, Goodale served as a top assistant for the wrestling program, while also working as the offensive coordinator for the football team. During his time with the Jaguars football squad, he was a part of three state championship teams.
 
On a national level, he spent 12 years as the Junior and Cadet State Team Coach for national wrestling tournaments held in Fargo, N.D. Following the 2005-06 season, he served as the head coach for Team New Jersey at the Junior National Duals.
 
Goodale wrestled for Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, earning his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 1995. He then went to New Jersey City University where he earned a certification in Special Education in 1997. As a collegiate wrestler, Goodale made three trips to the NCAA Championships, as well as placing second at the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) Tournament twice in his career. During his time with the Bald Eagles, the team was ranked as high as ninth in the country. Goodale finished with 99 wins at Lock Haven. Goodale was inducted into the school’s Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sept. 14, 2024.
 
Goodale and his wife Lisa are the parents of Shelby and Zach and reside in Toms River. Shelby graduated from Rutgers in 2023 and competed on the university's dance team, while Zach competed for the football team 'On the Banks' under head coach Greg Schiano.