Staff Directory
Heilman, Chris
Chris Heilman
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- Phone:
- 719-333-2811
Chris Heilman enters his eighth season as an assistant wrestling coach and recruiting coordinator at Air Force in 2021-22. Heilman has been instrumental in the recruiting efforts for the Falcons, and has helped reel in top-30 nationally ranked recruiting classes in seven of eight seasons at the Academy, including a pair of those in the top-20. In addition, he has helped hone that talent into seven individual NCAA Championship appearances from Falcon wrestlers.
In the 2020-21 campaign Heilman helped guide three wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament. Under his guidance, the Falcons posted a dual win over the 21st-ranked Northern Colorado Bears and saw eight wresters ranked in national polls. A highlight of the season season was freshman heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson progressing to the round of 12 in the NCAA Tournament as well as winning the Junior Team Trials where he went on to finish fifth at the World Championships in Ufa, Russia.
The 2019-20 season was AF's most successful yet at the Big 12 Conference Championships, as Heilman helped lead a squad with just one senior in the starting lineup. Heilman helped coach four individual Falcons to podium finishes at Big 12s, all underclassmen, including freshman Cody Phippen, who placed fifth. Phippen was also a semifinalist, the first for Air Force since joining the conference prior to the 2015-16 season. At season's end, AF had two wrestlers within the top-10 in falls in the country in Cody Surratt (11) and Randy Meneweather (10). AF was the only school in NCAA wrestling to have two in the top-10.
In 2018-19, Air Force continued to see improvement from the squad on the Big 12 and national stage. The Falcons finished with a 7-6 dual record, marking the fifth straight season Air Force had finished .500 or better in duals. The Falcons also defeated two teams that were at one point ranked in the top-25 (Fresno State & Utah Valley), while five of the six dual defeats came against opponents ranked in the top-25. At the Big 12 Championships, Heilman helped coach Alex Mossing to a third place finish at 157 lbs., the highest placement for a Falcon wrestler in the Big 12 era. Then at NCAA Championships, he helped guide Anthony McLaughlin to a win in the consolation bracket at 197 lbs., which was the first NCAA victory for an AF wrestler since 2016.
The 2017-18 season saw the Falcons record an 8-5 dual record, for a .615 winning percentage, the highest winning percentage for AF since 2014, and the highest for Heilman in his assistant coaching tenure. At Big 12s, AF placed two, and had senior Dane Robbins qualify for the NCAA Championships at 149 lbs.
Air Force had a young team in Heilman's third season at AF in 2016-17, as the Falcons finished 6-6 in duals. Prior to the season, he helped reel in the 19th ranked recruiting class in the country, and brought in a group of wrestlers that would help shape the future of the program.
In Heilman's second season in 2015-16, the Falcons joined the prestigious Big 12 Conference, giving the Falcons the opportunity to face some of the nations most elite wrestlers week in and week out. The Falcons went 8-5 that year, including a 2-3 mark in the Big 12, and finished the season by sending two wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, including senior Josh Martinez, who became just the fourth Falcon wrestler to qualify for the NCAA Championships four times.
The 2014-15 season was Heilman's first as an assistant at AF after Barber brought him into the fold. He started off his tenure by helping Air Force to the All-Academy Championship title for the first time in 12 years and the fifth time in program history. At season's end, AF finished fifth at the NCAA West Regional, while Jesse Stafford placed second at 165 lbs. The Falcons then sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
Heilman came to Air Force from Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he was named 2014 NCAA DIII Midwest Regional Assistant Coach of the Year. Prior to coming to the Academy, Heilman led UW-Whitewater to the DIII Runner-up finish in the 2014 and third-place finish 2013 during his two years there.
In the 2020-21 campaign Heilman helped guide three wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament. Under his guidance, the Falcons posted a dual win over the 21st-ranked Northern Colorado Bears and saw eight wresters ranked in national polls. A highlight of the season season was freshman heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson progressing to the round of 12 in the NCAA Tournament as well as winning the Junior Team Trials where he went on to finish fifth at the World Championships in Ufa, Russia.
The 2019-20 season was AF's most successful yet at the Big 12 Conference Championships, as Heilman helped lead a squad with just one senior in the starting lineup. Heilman helped coach four individual Falcons to podium finishes at Big 12s, all underclassmen, including freshman Cody Phippen, who placed fifth. Phippen was also a semifinalist, the first for Air Force since joining the conference prior to the 2015-16 season. At season's end, AF had two wrestlers within the top-10 in falls in the country in Cody Surratt (11) and Randy Meneweather (10). AF was the only school in NCAA wrestling to have two in the top-10.
In 2018-19, Air Force continued to see improvement from the squad on the Big 12 and national stage. The Falcons finished with a 7-6 dual record, marking the fifth straight season Air Force had finished .500 or better in duals. The Falcons also defeated two teams that were at one point ranked in the top-25 (Fresno State & Utah Valley), while five of the six dual defeats came against opponents ranked in the top-25. At the Big 12 Championships, Heilman helped coach Alex Mossing to a third place finish at 157 lbs., the highest placement for a Falcon wrestler in the Big 12 era. Then at NCAA Championships, he helped guide Anthony McLaughlin to a win in the consolation bracket at 197 lbs., which was the first NCAA victory for an AF wrestler since 2016.
The 2017-18 season saw the Falcons record an 8-5 dual record, for a .615 winning percentage, the highest winning percentage for AF since 2014, and the highest for Heilman in his assistant coaching tenure. At Big 12s, AF placed two, and had senior Dane Robbins qualify for the NCAA Championships at 149 lbs.
Air Force had a young team in Heilman's third season at AF in 2016-17, as the Falcons finished 6-6 in duals. Prior to the season, he helped reel in the 19th ranked recruiting class in the country, and brought in a group of wrestlers that would help shape the future of the program.
In Heilman's second season in 2015-16, the Falcons joined the prestigious Big 12 Conference, giving the Falcons the opportunity to face some of the nations most elite wrestlers week in and week out. The Falcons went 8-5 that year, including a 2-3 mark in the Big 12, and finished the season by sending two wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, including senior Josh Martinez, who became just the fourth Falcon wrestler to qualify for the NCAA Championships four times.
The 2014-15 season was Heilman's first as an assistant at AF after Barber brought him into the fold. He started off his tenure by helping Air Force to the All-Academy Championship title for the first time in 12 years and the fifth time in program history. At season's end, AF finished fifth at the NCAA West Regional, while Jesse Stafford placed second at 165 lbs. The Falcons then sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
Heilman came to Air Force from Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he was named 2014 NCAA DIII Midwest Regional Assistant Coach of the Year. Prior to coming to the Academy, Heilman led UW-Whitewater to the DIII Runner-up finish in the 2014 and third-place finish 2013 during his two years there.
Prior to his tenure at UW-Whitewater, Heilman spent two seasons as the head coach at Davenport West High School, in Davenport, Iowa. Heilman also spent two years as a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State University, helping the team to two top 10 team finishes. The 2010 team at St. Cloud posted the highest GPA amongst NCAA Div. II wrestling programs.
Heilman is a 2008 graduate of Cornell College (Iowa). He was a three-time All-American during his time at Cornell College.
Heilman resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Jen, dog Layla and son Ryder.
Rare Air Water Polo Invitational - Day 1
Saturday, September 06
Falcons fall 3-0 to Cal Poly
Friday, September 05
Women's Soccer get first win on the road vs Gonzaga
Friday, September 05
Rare Air Water Polo Invitational - Day 2
Thursday, September 04
