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BUFFALO, NY - Three-time All-American at the University of Michigan Jeff Catrabone has accepted a job as assistant wrestling coach at the University at Buffalo, head coach Jim Beichner announced. Catrabone, the current head coach at Erie (PA) Cathedral Prep, will join the Buffalo wrestling program in March after the high school season ends in Pennsylvania.

"Jeff Catrabone brings a wealth of experience in the sport of wrestling," Beichner said. "All I see is positives with him joining our team. I think he's going to do a great job for us."

Catrabone, 30, finished his collegiate career, 160-27, earning a seventh-place finish in 1996 and third-place finishes in 1997 and 1998. He also was a three-time Big Ten finalist and holds the Michigan school record for all-time pins with 55.

After graduating with a degree in sports management and communications in 1998, Catrabone moved to Erie to become the manager of Braendel Painting and Services. In 2000, Catrabone was named the head coach of Cathedral Prep and he has successfully guided the Ramblers to five District 10 team finals. He has coached four state placewinners and one All-American, compiling a 65-20 dual meet record at the school.

"As a coach, I think he's going to be outstanding," Beichner said. "He's dedicated to the sport. He wants to get a fresh start and get more into the college scene. He's got a lot of experience on the mats with young kids. He's a positive influence. He's upbeat. He's a good technician and he's very good at organizing and he's got very good recruiting skills."

In his own prep career at Harborcreek High School, Catrabone earned two Pennsylvania state crowns, finishing 145-12 with 98 falls before graduating in 1993.

He also is the owner and president of The Pennsylvania Wrestling News, one of the most prestigious prep high school wrestling journals in the country.

The son of Gregory and Johanne, Catrabone has one brother, Greg, and two sisters, Kristen and Michelle.