Kegan Calkins joined the Aurora University men's and women's wrestling program as an assistant coach in the spring of 2021.
Calkins returns to Illinois after serving as a graduate assistant coach at the University of the Cumberlands for two years and helping them achieve back-to-back top 10 NAIA national finishes including 4th place in 2019. Working with the Patriot wrestlers, Calkins helped produce six All-Americans and a National Champion.
Calkins also served as the Freestyle and Greco-Roman coach and was able to coach a UWW Greco Junior World Team Member in 2020.
As a collegiate wrestler, Calkins wrestled for Oregon State, bringing NCAA Division I experience to the wrestling room. He served as a three-year starter for the Beavers under coach Jim Zaleski. Calkins accumulated 44 wins against Division I opponents during his collegiate career, he competed at the PAC-12 Championships, took sixth place at the Midlands Tournament, third at the Road Runner Open and first at the Mike Clock Open.
Calkins was a two-time state qualifier for Montini High School, taking the Illinois state championship title in the 126 lb weight class his senior season. He was also Greco Fargo All-American after placing fifth and second at the national tournament.