University of Minnesota Athletics
Wrestling
Becker, Luke
Luke Becker
- Title:
- Head Assistant Coach
- Email:
- Lbecker@umn.edu
Follow @LukeDBecker
Luke Becker has served as the team's head assistant coach since 2016-17 after spending the previous eight seasons as the program's assistant coach. A former middleweight champion himself, Becker often works closely with the Gophers' middleweights.
After serving as one of the key contributors on the mat for Minnesota's first two national titles in 2001 and 2002, Becker was on staff during the team's run to the 2007 National Championship. Becker was a part of the staff that helped guide the Gophers to back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2006 and 2007, as well as five National Duals championships. Minnesota has placed in the top-10 nationally 11 times since Becker has been on staff, including trophy finishes in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The Gopher All-Americans just since Becker became an assistant coach in 2009 is a who’s who of collegiate wrestling, including: Isaiah Salazar, Ethan Lizak, Tommy Thorn, Mitch McKee, Gable Steveson, Chris Dardanes, Nick Dardanes, Roger Kish, Michael Kroells, Tony Nelson, Dylan Ness, Jayson Ness, Brett Pfarr, Tyler Safratowich, Zach Sanders, Scott Schiller, Kevin Steinhaus, Logan Storley, David Thorn, Mike Thorn, Cody Yohn, Sonny Yohn, Danny Zilverberg. In that same timeframe, Becker has coached Salazar, Steveson, Nelson, Steinhaus, Mike Thorn and both Ness brothers to Big Ten titles, as well as national championships for Nelson, Jayson Ness and Steveson.
Prior to his current role, Becker served as the program's assistant and volunteer assistant coach and, previous to that, as the team’s marketing and promotions director.
Equally impressive to his coaching resume are his accomplishments when he wore the Gopher singlet as a four-time letterwinner from 2000 to 2003. Becker was an All-American all four seasons, winning an individual national title in 2002. He was a key contributor to the program’s first two national championships (2001, 2002). He also won two individual Big Ten titles (2002, 2003) and was part of three Big Ten championship teams (2001-03). He remains one of the most-accomplished wrestlers in program history, ranking among the program’s 16 best in career wins (126), career dual wins (60) and career pins (29).
Prior to joining the Gophers, Becker was a three-time Minnesota state champion from Cambridge, Minn. He finished his high school career as the winningest high school wrestler in Minnesota history at that time with 210 prep victories.
Becker graduated from the University of Minnesota in May 2003, with a B.A. in an intercollegiate program consisting of educational psychology and youth studies. He currently resides in Roseville, Minn., with his wife Christa, daughter Brittlyn, and son Bo.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Entering his 22nd season on the Golden Gopher wrestling staff in 2024-25
- As assistant coach, has helped Gopher wrestlers earn 64 All-America certificates, a group that also includes eight individual Big Ten championships and three individual national championships
- During his time as assistant coach, team has earned three trophy finishes at NCAA Championships
- 2002 NCAA National Champion (157 pounds)
- 2002 and 2003 Big Ten Champion (157 pounds)
- Four-time NCAA All-American (2000-03)
- Member of 2001 and 2002 National Championship teams
- Member of 2001, 2002 and 2003 Big Ten Championship teams
Luke Becker has served as the team's head assistant coach since 2016-17 after spending the previous eight seasons as the program's assistant coach. A former middleweight champion himself, Becker often works closely with the Gophers' middleweights.
After serving as one of the key contributors on the mat for Minnesota's first two national titles in 2001 and 2002, Becker was on staff during the team's run to the 2007 National Championship. Becker was a part of the staff that helped guide the Gophers to back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2006 and 2007, as well as five National Duals championships. Minnesota has placed in the top-10 nationally 11 times since Becker has been on staff, including trophy finishes in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The Gopher All-Americans just since Becker became an assistant coach in 2009 is a who’s who of collegiate wrestling, including: Isaiah Salazar, Ethan Lizak, Tommy Thorn, Mitch McKee, Gable Steveson, Chris Dardanes, Nick Dardanes, Roger Kish, Michael Kroells, Tony Nelson, Dylan Ness, Jayson Ness, Brett Pfarr, Tyler Safratowich, Zach Sanders, Scott Schiller, Kevin Steinhaus, Logan Storley, David Thorn, Mike Thorn, Cody Yohn, Sonny Yohn, Danny Zilverberg. In that same timeframe, Becker has coached Salazar, Steveson, Nelson, Steinhaus, Mike Thorn and both Ness brothers to Big Ten titles, as well as national championships for Nelson, Jayson Ness and Steveson.
Prior to his current role, Becker served as the program's assistant and volunteer assistant coach and, previous to that, as the team’s marketing and promotions director.
Equally impressive to his coaching resume are his accomplishments when he wore the Gopher singlet as a four-time letterwinner from 2000 to 2003. Becker was an All-American all four seasons, winning an individual national title in 2002. He was a key contributor to the program’s first two national championships (2001, 2002). He also won two individual Big Ten titles (2002, 2003) and was part of three Big Ten championship teams (2001-03). He remains one of the most-accomplished wrestlers in program history, ranking among the program’s 16 best in career wins (126), career dual wins (60) and career pins (29).
Prior to joining the Gophers, Becker was a three-time Minnesota state champion from Cambridge, Minn. He finished his high school career as the winningest high school wrestler in Minnesota history at that time with 210 prep victories.
Becker graduated from the University of Minnesota in May 2003, with a B.A. in an intercollegiate program consisting of educational psychology and youth studies. He currently resides in Roseville, Minn., with his wife Christa, daughter Brittlyn, and son Bo.
Gopher Wrestling Tries Gymnastics
Thursday, May 29
Steveson Advances to NCAA Title Match
Friday, March 21
Gable Steveson: NCAA Quarterfinals
Friday, March 21
Gable Steveson: NCAA Pin
Thursday, March 20
