After Anthony Robles defeated Matt McDonough of Iowa to win the 125-pound national championship in Philadelphia this past March, Sun Devil fans probably thought that it was the last time they would get the privilege of witnessing the three-time All-American in maroon-and-gold.
Turns out they were wrong.
The ASU wrestling team announced on Aug. 31 that Robles would be returning to the Sun Devil squad as a volunteer coach for the upcoming season. And coach Shawn Charles and company couldn’t be happier with the move.
“Anthony brought up a conversation with Coach (Brian) Stith about our team and what we were doing, knowing that we needed a lightweight coach,” Charles said. “He said he would definitely love to volunteer for the position. When Coach Stith brought that to my attention, I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s perfect.’”
The move came as a surprise to some, partly because of how busy Robles’ schedule has been since he was crowned champion in March. His time since the title match has been filled with high profile appearances like the one he made at the ESPYs (where he accepted the "Best Disabled Athlete" and "Jimmy V” awards) and his blossoming public speaking career.
But the Mesa native just couldn’t resist returning to the sport that has made him a national celebrity.
“I had plans to take some time off from wrestling,” Robles said, “but I just missed being in the wrestling room and being around all the guys. I took the job because I love helping ASU wrestling and I want to continue to get the program back to where it should be.”
Despite his busy speaking schedule, Robles plans to be with the team at every opportunity during the 2011-12 season.
“He’s making some time to give back as much as he possibly can to our program, so I’m really appreciative of that,” Charles said. “He’s going to travel with our team, he’s going to travel to events, he’s going to come in and work out with our guys on a regular basis. Obviously, he’s not going to be here seven days a week because of his speaking schedule, but he’s going to be here as much as he possibly can, which is beneficial for us.”
The way the team sees it, some Robles is definitely better than no Robles, and Charles isn’t the only one who’s fired up about the addition of yet another accomplished wrestler to the coaching staff.
“I think it’s awesome,” senior Jake Meredith said. “He works very well with the little guys. They need someone to work out with, and I think he’s probably one of the best guys to work out with.”
While Robles will be working with the lower weight classes — 125 to 141 pounds — his presence in the weight room will have a profound impact on all the Sun Devils.
“He’s a motivational guy to have around,” redshirt junior Levi Cooper said. “Knowing what he did last year, and what he put into it, anything he says everyone’s going to definitely listen to it … (His presence) is just a reminder of what you can accomplish if you want to put everything you have into the room every day.”
Charles echoed Cooper’s sentiments, saying that the humble and soft-spoken Robles will serve as a great role model to a team equipped with an abundance of young wrestlers.
“His actions speak louder than his words,” Charles said, “and people that come in this room see that if you train hard, work hard, and focus yourself on what you want, anything’s possible.”
In addition to his work ethic, Robles knows that his experience on the national stage will also serve him well when it comes to showing the younger guys the ropes.
“I’ve been to the big show, and with these young guys I can give them an idea of what to expect,” Robles said. “It’s a big step from high school to college, and I’ve been there before, so I can get out on the mat and help guide them through it.”
This will be Robles’ first position as a volunteer coach, and he joins a knowledgeable, experienced staff that already includes the likes of Charles (four-time All-American), Stith (two-time All-American) and newcomer Travis Pascoe (four-time NCAA qualifier).
“I see that the sky’s the limit,” Robles said of the upcoming year. “They just have to buy in to what coach Charles is teaching.”
The fact that Robles made it a priority to return to the Sun Devil squad after graduating is an indication of how badly he wants the program to succeed.
“He just appreciates very much everything that Arizona State and this wrestling room gave to him,” Cooper said. “He wants other people to have the ability to feel the same way that he felt.”
The feeling of Robles’ national title is not one that neither he nor ASU fans will soon forget, but poses the question: Is this coaching gig the first step back to competition for the guy who went a perfect 36-0 just last season?
Right now, Robles says a return to the mat is unlikely, as he will already have his hands full with his speaking career and mentoring the ASU squad. But even Robles admits, crazier things have happened.
“I can’t say definitely (not) — you never know,” Robles said. “As of right now, I have a lot of things going; speaking, endorsement deals, book and movie deals. But you never know what can happen in the future.”
Reach the reporter at kjnewma2@asu.edu
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