The premier college wrestling program in Virginia during the 21st century has been Virginia, with Old Dominion within shouting distance. A primary reason for the Hokies dominance has been Tony Robie. 

Robie’s run of success breaks down into two eras, when he was a co-head coach with Kevin Dresser from 2006-17 and since 2017 when he has been the head coach. Robie and Dresser formed a two-headed monster that produced five Top 10 finishes at the NCAA Division I Championships, including fourth place in 2016 and sixth place in 2017. The duo also won three Atlantic Coast Conference dual meet championships and three ACC tournament titles. 

An excellent recruiter, Robie brought 17 ACC champions and 14 All-Americans to Blacksburg. 

Since taking over as head coach, Robie has coached Virginia Tech’s first national champion and outstanding wrestler, Mekhi Lewis, and the Hokies second national finalst, Jared Haught. Virginia Tech has won an ACC dual meet championship and an ACC team title while Robie was named ACC Coach of the Year. The Hokies also finished eighth at the NCAA tournament in 2018 and had their first undefeated season since 1954-55 in 2021. 

Robbie arrived in Blacksburg having paid his dues as a college coach. He began his career at Binghamton University and was a successful assistant coach at the University of Michigan. 

He was also a successful wrestler who earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and was a two-time All-American and NCAA finalist for coach Bruce Baumgartner at Edinboro University. Robie was inducted into the Edinboro Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. 

He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Christiansburg, Virginia, with their three children – Nate, Luke and Jake.