Air Force Wrestling Welcomes Mohamed Khalil as Director of High Performance
11/26/2025 3:16:00 PM | Wrestling
USAF ACADEMY – Air Force Wrestling is proud to announce the appointment of Mohamed Khalil, a three-time Olympian and 2006 World Champion, as the program's new Director of High Performance. With more than two decades of international experience as both an elite competitor and a world-class coach, Mo brings unmatched expertise in athlete development, high-performance training, and championship-level leadership.
"We are incredibly fortunate to add Coach Mo to our program," said Head Coach Sam Barber. "He is one of the most accomplished Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaches in the world. His ability to develop athletes at the highest level—Olympic, World Championship, and NCAA—sets him apart. Our cadet-athletes will greatly benefit from his innovative approach, his knowledge of performance science, and his proven commitment to building athletes who excel both on and off the mat."
Mohamed joins Air Force following his most recent role as a coach at the University of North Carolina, where he helped guide Austin O'Connor to his second NCAA National Championship in 2023—only the second Tar Heel in program history to win multiple national titles. His leadership and innovative training methodologies elevated recovery strategies, reduced injury rates, and strengthened UNC's national competitiveness.
From 2017–2022, Mohamed served as USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach, based at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Under his leadership, U.S. athletes secured multiple World Championship medals, Pan American titles, and podium finishes at the World Team Trials. He was instrumental in the development of champions such as Kamal Bey, Tracy Hancock, Cohlton Schultz, and Adam Coon.
Internationally, Mohamed has coached on some of the sport's biggest stages, including serving as the Sweden National Coach in 2009—where he guided Jimmy Lidberg and Jalmar Sjöberg to World Championship medals—and as a co-founder and competitor with the Bahrain Wrestling Federation, where he captured a bronze medal at the 2015 Asian Championships.
As an athlete, Mohamed is one of the most decorated Greco-Roman wrestlers in history. He represented Egypt at three Olympic Games (2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2012 London), captured a World Championship gold medal in 2006, and earned World Championship medals in 1998 and 2002. Across his career, he collected more than 90 international medals, including titles at the World Cup, Mediterranean Games, Grand Prix, and African Championships.
In his new role, He will serve as the primary link between the coaching staff and all areas of athlete performance, including strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery strategies, sports psychology, and tactical preparation. He will also continue to mentor and develop athletes at the Air Force Regional Training Center, guiding cadet-athletes, Olympic Training Center EAP athletes, and local Colorado high school wrestlers.
"It is an honor to join the Air Force Wrestling Program," said Coach Mo. "I have dedicated my life to competing, coaching, and mentoring athletes at the highest level. The mission-driven values of this program resonate deeply with me, and I look forward to working with our world-class staff and talented athletes as we pursue excellence on the national and international stage."
This appointment reinforces Air Force Wrestling's commitment to equipping its athletes with elite coaching, innovative training, and the resources necessary to achieve championship success.
"We are incredibly fortunate to add Coach Mo to our program," said Head Coach Sam Barber. "He is one of the most accomplished Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaches in the world. His ability to develop athletes at the highest level—Olympic, World Championship, and NCAA—sets him apart. Our cadet-athletes will greatly benefit from his innovative approach, his knowledge of performance science, and his proven commitment to building athletes who excel both on and off the mat."
Mohamed joins Air Force following his most recent role as a coach at the University of North Carolina, where he helped guide Austin O'Connor to his second NCAA National Championship in 2023—only the second Tar Heel in program history to win multiple national titles. His leadership and innovative training methodologies elevated recovery strategies, reduced injury rates, and strengthened UNC's national competitiveness.
From 2017–2022, Mohamed served as USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach, based at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Under his leadership, U.S. athletes secured multiple World Championship medals, Pan American titles, and podium finishes at the World Team Trials. He was instrumental in the development of champions such as Kamal Bey, Tracy Hancock, Cohlton Schultz, and Adam Coon.
Internationally, Mohamed has coached on some of the sport's biggest stages, including serving as the Sweden National Coach in 2009—where he guided Jimmy Lidberg and Jalmar Sjöberg to World Championship medals—and as a co-founder and competitor with the Bahrain Wrestling Federation, where he captured a bronze medal at the 2015 Asian Championships.
As an athlete, Mohamed is one of the most decorated Greco-Roman wrestlers in history. He represented Egypt at three Olympic Games (2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2012 London), captured a World Championship gold medal in 2006, and earned World Championship medals in 1998 and 2002. Across his career, he collected more than 90 international medals, including titles at the World Cup, Mediterranean Games, Grand Prix, and African Championships.
In his new role, He will serve as the primary link between the coaching staff and all areas of athlete performance, including strength and conditioning, nutrition, recovery strategies, sports psychology, and tactical preparation. He will also continue to mentor and develop athletes at the Air Force Regional Training Center, guiding cadet-athletes, Olympic Training Center EAP athletes, and local Colorado high school wrestlers.
"It is an honor to join the Air Force Wrestling Program," said Coach Mo. "I have dedicated my life to competing, coaching, and mentoring athletes at the highest level. The mission-driven values of this program resonate deeply with me, and I look forward to working with our world-class staff and talented athletes as we pursue excellence on the national and international stage."
This appointment reinforces Air Force Wrestling's commitment to equipping its athletes with elite coaching, innovative training, and the resources necessary to achieve championship success.
Sam Barber Interview November 25, 2025
Tuesday, November 25
Sam Barber Interview - November 18th, 2025
Tuesday, November 18
Wyatt Hendrickson Visit
Monday, April 07
Sam Barber Interview March 12, 2025
Wednesday, March 12
