Coaching Experience
• Associate Head Coach, Cornell University (2021-present)
• Assistant Coach, North Carolina State University (2017-21)
• Volunteer Assistant Coach, Cornell University (2014-17)
• Volunteer Assistant Coach, Binghamton University (2013-14)
Competitive Experience
• Binghamton University (2008-13)
• NCAA All-American at 149 pounds
• Two-time CAA Wrestler of the Year
• Career wins leader at Binghamton (132-27)
• Given John Bilos Alumni Award as top senior male athlete at Binghamton
Education
• B.S., Marketing, Binghamton University (2012)
• M.S., Student Affairs Administration, Binghamton University (2014)
At Cornell
Former Binghamton All-America wrestler and Big Red assistant Donnie Vinson rejoined the Big Red in July 2021 as Associate Head Coach after four seasons on the sidelines at NC State.
In two seasons back on the big Red sidelines, VInson has helped the Big Red to consecutive Ivy League and EIWA team titles, has assisted in the development of three national champions, seven All-Americans and nine EIWA champs. Cornell has twice finished in the top seven, including third in 2023.
In his first stint with the Big Red as a volunteer assistant coach from 2014-17, Vinson was part of a staff that included three Division I head coaches (Grey, Rob Koll at Stanford and Damion Hahn of South Dakota State). During that three-year run, Vinson helped tutor three NCAA champions and two runners-up and 11 total All-Americans. Cornell qualified a school-record nine wrestlers for NCAA's in his first two years and won New York State, Ivy League and EIWA titles each year Vinson was on the sidelines.
Prior to Cornell
Vinson most recently was on the staff at NC State from 2017-21 under his college coach at Binghamton, Pat Popolizio. The Wolfpack had a pair of top six NCAA team finishes (including fourth in 2018), won four ACC team titles, had nine All-Americans, three individual NCAA finalists and crowned Michael Macchiavello national champion at 197 pounds in 2018. In four years, NC State posted a 52-6 dual meet record (18-2 in the ACC). Vinson also served as a coach with the Wolfpack Wrestling Club and was involved with the Wolfpack RTC.
Prior to his first stint with the Big Red, Vinson spent the 2013-14 season as a graduate assistant at Binghamton under head coach Matt Dernlan. He helped develop a pair of NCAA qualifiers, including EIWA runner-up Cody Reed at 197 pounds. He would later become just the second Bearcat wrestler in program history to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals. Binghamton had five place winners and tied for seventh in the school’s debut at the EIWA Championship.
Wrestling Career
Vinson is the school’s career wins leader at Binghamton with a 132-27 record and was a two-time Colonial Athletic Association Wrestler of the Year. The 2012 All-American at 149 pounds was named the CAA Championship’s Most Outstanding Wrestler as a senior and claimed the athletic department’s Athlete of the Year award. He was also chosen to receive the John Bilos Alumni Award, given to the top senior male for outstanding career performances as a Bearcat. Vinson is one of just four wrestlers to defeat Kyle Dake, Cornell’s four-time NCAA champion, during his collegiate career.
Personal
Donnie and his wife Lisa reside in Ithaca. He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from Binghamton in 2012 before gaining his master’s in student affairs administration in 2014.
* Updated June 2023
