Frank Richmond : Club Director/Lead Instructor
Coach Richmond has been a High School wrestling coach and mathematics teacher in the city of Folsom for 15 years. Coach Richmond wrestled at Kennedy High School in Cypress from 1997-2001, where he was a two-time Empire League Champion, sub-section champion, two-time Southern Section finalist, section champion as a senior, and a two-time state qualifier placing third as a senior. Coach Richmond compiled a 46-1 record as a senior, 40 of his wins coming by either fall or tech fall. Richmond won League, District, County, & National Army Reserve Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards as well. He then went on to wrestle at the NCAA Division I level for U.C. Davis where he was a three-time Pac-10 place winner finishing up among the career leaders in pins. Coach Richmond was a two-year captain for UCD and served as a volunteer assistant coach after graduating with a degree in Economics in 2006. Coach Richmond then went on to earn his teaching credential for mathematics and masters degree in education from UC Davis. Coach Richmond has continued to compete in wrestling compiling 4 Veteran National Wrestling Championships. Coach Richmond also trains and competes in brazilian jiu-jitsu (submission grappling) and is currently a brown belt. He has won a World Championship in both Gi and No-Gi.
Dan Cota: Assistant Coach
Coach Cota wrestled for North Salinas High School. He was a 3 x Monterey Bay League Champion, 3 x Central Coast Section Qualifier, and 3 x State Qualifier. In his senior season Coach Cota was a Central Coast Section Champion and placed 6th in the California High School State Meet. Coach Cota was also a 2x California State Freestyle and Greco-Roman Champion. Coach Cota finished his High School career with a 132-26 record. Coach Cota placed 2nd at the Junior World Team Trials in Greco-Roman. After High School Coach Cota attended and wrestled for the San Jose State University Wrestling team. Coach Cota recently came out of retirement and won a US Veterans National Championship in Greco Roman Wrestling.
Omar Gaitain: Assistant Coach
Coach Gaitan has coached for Nor Cal Wrestling Academy for 3 years now. Coach Gaitan is a 2-time CA High School State Qualifier. Coach Gaitan went on to wrestle at the Division 1 level for UC Davis where he was a 2-time Pac-10 placewinner and a NCAA Division I National Qualifier. Coach Gaitan has coached all over the state of California helping athletes reach their goals of becoming state placewinners and wrestling at the college-level. Coach Gaitan continues to stay active in grappling where he has earned a bronze medal at the US Nationals in Submission Grappling as well as the IBJJF World Championships at blue belt. Coach Gaitan currently holds a purple belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Jacob Salas: Assistant Coach
This is Coach Salas 4th season with Nor Cal Wrestling Academy. Coach Salas has over 25 years of experience in the sport of Wrestling. Coach Salas wrestled at Madera and Buchanan High School in Clovis where he was a Tri-River Athletic Conference Champion, Central Section Finalist, and 2x CA State Qualifier. Coach Salas then went on to wrestle at UC Davis and Fresno City College where he was a Junior College All-American. Coach Salas previously served as the Head Wrestling Coach at Sacramento High School.
Steve Ramos: Assistant Coach
Coach Ramos has been a youth wrestling coach in the area for over 15 years. Coach Ramos wrestled in High school for the Stockton Bear Creek Bruins for 4 years. After High school he was an assistant coach for Brookside Christian HS in Stockton for 2 years. He officiated high school wrestling matches for the NCOA for 2 years. Prior to coaching for Nor Cal Wrestling Academy he coached at El Dorado Hills Wrestling Club for 5 years. Coach Ramos has been completely obsessed with the sport of wrestling ever since high school and spends much of his time watching any YouTube or clinic film he can get his hands on. Coach Ramos has tremendous success coaching larger heavyweight athletes and has coached several athletes who have gone on to compete at the College level.
