The Austin wrestling program will turn to a new leader this season.

Jer Osgood, the former head wrestling coach at Ellis Middle School, is taking over as the Packers’ interim head wrestling coach at Austin High School for the upcoming season.

Osgood, who grew up wrestling at St. Ansgar, Iowa, coached at Ellis for nine years. He is hoping the program has a smooth year as he’s familiar with all of the varsity athletes and their parents, since he coached them at the middle school level.

“I’m really excited for this new opportunity of restoring and rejuvenating the wrestling tradition of Austin High School,” Osgood said. “I’m up for the challenge and I”m going to push for this to be a collaborative effort from the athletes, to the staff, to the supporters.”

Osgood will have the help of Jake Levisen, who will be returning as an assistant coach. Levisen will help provide Osgood with some stability as he gets his feet wet as a head coach.

“It’s been nice (having Jake),” Osgood said. “He knows the system and he’s been here before. He’s a great resource.”

Osgood said the Packer wrestling team will likely add a fund-raiser for cancer research this season like the basketball teams have held in the past.

He said his main goal as a coach will be to get his wrestlers to work to their full potential.

“I feel its crucial to create an environment that will allow the kids to perform to the best of their ability as students and athletes,” Osgood said. “It’s important to remember that this is a sport and sports are supposed to be fun. If they’re not having fun, I’m not doing my job.”

Osgood was named interim head coach after former AHS wrestling coach Bill Kinney retired after 20 years at the helm in October.

The Packers have four home matches this season and they’ll open things up by hosting Albert Lea Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.