Cipollone became the first head wrestling coach at Mercyhurst College on Wednesday, January 17, 2001. He added the title of Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services in the summer of 2006.

In his first five seasons, Cipollone's team has achieved a number of accomplishments. The Lakers finished the 2001-2002 campaign 9-7 in dual meets and finished 6th in the 12-team East Regional. They also qualified three wrestlers to nationals - 141 pounder Jake Squire, 184 pounder Ben McAvinew, and 197 pounder Justin Mautz.

While Squire and McAvinew both lost their first two matches, Mautz made Mercyhurst College history by becoming Mercyhurst's first wrestling All-America, placing fifth in the nation.

Mercyhurst went 8-8 in 2002-2003 and qualified three more for nationals: Mautz, McAvinew, and 141-pound freshman Will Tedder. Although Tedder lost his bid for All-America recognition when he was hurt during the competition, sophomore Mautz made it for the second straight year by finishing fourth and sophomore McAvinew earned the honor for the first time by finishing sixth.

The Lakers took major steps in 2003-04 by finishing 11-5 in dual competition and a #10 ranking, getting their first regional champ, and qualifying eight for nationals. Along the way, Mercyhurst registered first-ever wins over Findlay and Gannon and finished second at the East Regional. For his efforts, Cipollone was named East Regional Coach of the Year. Mautz was East Regional champ at 197 and joined 125-pounder Ricky Randazzo as All-American. For Mautz, it was his third straight honor while Randazzo's was his first.

The Lakers finished 13-7 in 2004-05, qualified eight for nationals, and ended the season ranked #9 in Division II. Four wrestlers received All-America recognition: senior Ricky Randazzo at 125; freshman Don Cummings at 141; sophomore Zack Schafer at 167; and senior Ben McAvinew at 184. McAvinew, in fact, went all the way to the D-II championship bout before bowing. Cipollone was named D-II Coach of the Year by Andrew Hipps of TheWrestlingMall.com.

Mercyhurst improved to 14-8 in 2005-06, qualified seven for nationals, brought home two All-Ameerca wrestlers in J.J. Zanetta, 7th at 141, and Zack Schafer, 2nd at 165, and finished the year ranked #9 in Division II. The Lakers also finished second at the East regional. Will Tedder (157) and Schafer won individual titles there.

Following to 2005-06 campaign, Cipollone was named Chairman of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Rules Committee. The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee is comprised of six Division I members and four members each in Division II and Division III.

This committee is responsible for interpretation and administration of the rules of wrestling among other duties it performs during the championships.

At the Division II National Championships, Cipollone was also elected by his peers as the President-Elect of the Division II Coaches Association. He will serve as the Vice President for two years under Dr. Scott Ritzen of Chadron State College before assuming the role of President.

Cipollone came to Mercyhurst from Division III Muskingum College (New Concord, OH) where, in five-plus seasons, he developed a wrestling program that became recognized both regionally and nationally. When he left, his squad was the defending Ohio Athletic Conference champions and he was the reigning conference coach of the year. Over the last three seasons of his tenure at Muskingum, the Muskies averaged 10 wins a season.

He graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College where he also received his master's degree. He served as assistant wrestling coach and football coach at B-W. In his wrestling days, he held the school record for most wins in a season (110) and was a 2x NCAA national qualifier. He was also the starting fullback on the Yellow Jackets' undefeated OAC championship season his senior year. While at Muskingum, he also served as the football team's defensive coordinator.

Cipollone also serves as the athletes Academic Advisor for the Athletic Department and oversees the Mercyhurst College Student Athletic Advisory Committee. He was inducted into the Baldwin-Wallace Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and was appointed to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee in July, 2005.

He is married to the former Tiffany Casimir. He and his wife are the proud parents of sons, Casey and Cael.

Cipollone's Record At Mercyhurst

	Overall
Year	W	L
2001-02	9	7	0
2002-03	8	8	0
2003-04	11	5	0
2004-05	13	7	0
2005-06	14	8	0
2006-07	11	6	1
Career	66	41	1
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